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THE FISHERMEN'S 



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Peiiwriiil mu\ ^mxA §mh 



BY 



GEOKGE H. PROCTEK, 

CONTAININ& 

A LIST OF VESSELS AND THEIK CREWS, LOST FROM 

THE PORT OF GLOUCESTER FROM THE YEAR 

1830 TOTCTOBER 1, 1873, 

EMBRACING 

A PERIOD OF NEARLY HALF A CENTURY; 

COMPRISING 

FOURTEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN NAMES, AND TWO HUNDRED 

AND NINETY-SIX VESSELS, INCLUDINO THOSE LOST IN THE 

GALE OF AUGU'ST 24, 1873. 

IT ALSO CONTAINS 

VALUABLE STATISTICS OF THE FISHING BUSINESS, OFF-HAND SKETCHES, 

BIG TRIPS, TALES OF NARROW ESCAPES, MARITIME POETRY, AND 

OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THESE TOILERS OF THE SEA. 



/ 



GLOUCESTER : 
PROCTER BROTHERS, Publishers, 

CAPE ANN ADVERTISER OFFICE. 

1873. 




1^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 

GEORGE H. PROCTER, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at WasMngton. 



Procter Brothers, Printers, Gloucester, Mass. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

I. — Preface 1 

II. — Perils attending the Fisheries 3 

III,— List of the Names of Twelve Hundred and Sixty-five Men and Two 

Hundred and Eighty Vessels Lost in the Fisheries and other maritime 
branches, from the Port of Gloucester, from the year 1830 to July 1st, 
1873, embracing a period of nearly half a century ; also, the Valuation 
of the Vessel Property and Insurance thereon 8 

IV. — Table of Kecapitulation 53 

V. — On Georges in the Terrible Gale of February 24th, 1SC2. The ex- 

perience of one who was there for the first and last time . . .64: 

, VI. — The Mackerel Fishery— Giving an Account of its Commencement 

and Progress, with Statistics of the Catch for the past thirteen years . GO 

VII. — The Haddock, Pollock, Cod and Halibut Fisheries, giving an Ac- 
count of the First Trips to Georges for Codfish 65 

VIII. — The Commerce of Gloucester and the Fisheries .... 68 

IX. — The Winter Fishery of 1846 — a Comparison between Then and Now, 
showing the wonderful Increase of this Branch of the Business . . 69 

X. — " Uncle Charlie's " Recollections of the Old Pinkey and Jigger Fleets ; 

also, of the Square Sterners, Half-Clipper and Clipper Model Fishing 
Vessels '^'■ 

XI. — Account of the First Trips to Georges after Halibut . ... 77 
XIL — Incidents of the Gale of September 8th, 18G9 79 

XIII. — Sea Fish and Fisheries 81 

XIV. — Big Trips in the Bank, Georges, Mackerel and Haddock Fisheries 82 
XV. — How the Pinkey Charles weathered it 87 

XVI. — Loss of Two Rockport Vessels. Thrilling Narrative of Mr. 
Charles Jordan, sole survivor of the crew of Schooner Helen Eliza. 

His Perilous Position and Wonderful Escape 88 

XVII. — Fishermen's Superstitions. Remarkable Verifications of Dreams. 
Wonderful Presentiment 92 

XVIII. — Greenland and Iceland Halibut Fisheries 96 

XIX. — Estimated Products of the Fisheries for the year 1872. Tonnage 
Statistics 97 



IV CONTENTS. 

XX. — Remarkable Escapes of Schooners Onward and Seddie C. Pyle on 
Georges — Loss of Schooners A.R.Andrews, and Rescue of her Crew — 
Lost in the Fog — Rescued from tlie Jaws of Death — Comprising the 

Details of Karrow Escapes by the Fisliermcn 98 

XXI. — The Pirate Tacony's Raid upon the Fishermen .... 105 
XXII. —A Valuable Branch of Industry 107 

XXIII. — Recapture of Schooner E. A. Horton from the Custody of the 
Dominion Government — A Daring Act by a Yankee Skipper and his 
Crew 108 

XXIV. — The Severe Storm of 1839 115 

XXV. — Fishermen's children Playing on the Beach 117 

XXVL — The Cape Ann Fishermen of To-Day 119 

XXVII. — How Harry G. came to Sign the Pledge 123 

XXVIII. — Picking the Nets and Trawls, in which we find a good haul of 
Sketches, Incidents and Facts, relative to the Fisherman and his Occu- 
pation 125 

XXIX. — Dashings of Spray from Wavelets of Maritime Poetry by Home 
Authors 129 

XXX. — A Musical Fisherman — His First Violin — Early Struggles — His 
Cruise in The Rival — Shipwrecked Yankee Fishermen Giving Con- 
certs in the Provinces .......... 149 

XXXI. — Loss of Schooner Neptune's Bride — Two of the Crew saved — 

Eighteen hours on the Mast-Head — A Perilous Passage . . . 153 
XXXII. — Leaves from the Log Book of Captain James Pattillo — How He 
served a Dominion OflScer who Boarded the Schooner Abigail — Puts 
to Sea in the Teeth of a Gale and outsails the Cutter — How he gets a 
load of Herring for Schooner Tiger — A Fearful Time on Georges in 

Schooner Alexander 156 

XXXIII. — "Here comes Father's Vessc-l" 164 

XXXIV. — Appendix 166 

XXXV. — The Terrible Gale of Sunday, August 24th, 1873, List of the 

Lost Men and Vessels 167 

XXXVI. — Sum Total of Losses for the past Forty-three Years . . . 172 



PREFACE 



oXKo 




For some time past it has been my desire to 
prepare a Memorial Volume, which would con- 
tain, among other matters of interest to the 
fishermen, as well as to the large number of 
vessel owners and fitters, a record which should 
be as complete as could possibly be gathered, 
of that vast number who have been lost from 
the port of Gloucester, while toiling on the fish- 
ing-grounds, in the arduous avocation of wrest- 
ing from old ocean her finny treasures. 

Here in this volume are the names of these men recorded, and here 
will their memories be perpetuated among their shipmates and rela- 
tives, and handed down to those who in the j^ears to come shall sail 
the vessels, haul the lines and nets, in the prosecution of a business 
which has given to Gloucester a goodl}' portion of her wealth, and 
placed her in the position of the largest fishing port in the world. 

To the fishermen, the workers — those who have fought the elements 
at inclement seasons — much of this prosperity is due, and it has been 
my aim to render the volume of special interest to them and theirs. 
To those who have been so kind in furnishing information and in- 
cidents during the canvassing of the past six months, and who by 
their words of appreciation of the work have so efficiently aided 
its progress, I return my warmest thanks, as without their hearty 
co-operation its pages would not contain such a large array of facts 
and incidents. Those who have ever undertaken anything of a sim- 
ilar nature, requiring such persistent labor, know full well how much 
their success depends upon this " interviewing" process, which is, 
when courteously conducted, the surest means of obtaining informa- 
tion. 

Most especially would I return thanks to John S. E. Kogers, 
of the Gloucester Telegraph, and to John W. Wonson, for their 
courtesy in furnishing the means of obtaining information relative 
to some of the crew lists of vessels lost previous to 1850. I am 
also under obligations to John L. Shouey, Esq., editor of the Nut- 



II 



PKEFACE. 



serrj^ Boston, for facilities in obtaining some of the fine engravings 
wliich adorn tlie volume. 

And now, sending tliis, my first-born literary venture in book form 
into the world, I have in my lieart a hope that the fishermen and 
their families may find it of sufficient interest to insure for this 
Memorial and Record Book a welcome place on the home book- 
shelf, or a snug position among the I'eading matter on board the 
vessel. 

GEORGE H. PROCTER. 




'"»"""""" '■iiiiiiit 




Perils Attending the Fisheries. 

There is scarcely a branch of business in the known world which 
is pursued with such a fearful loss of life and property as that which 
attends the fisheries. To watch the pretty crafts when they sail away 
on their summer cruises for mackerel, gives one an idea that such an 
avocation is replete with enjoyment. These trips are in reality very 
pleasant, affording considerable excitement, much jollity, and agree- 
able labor, which yield good returns ; this may well be called the 
sunny side of the picture, for such it really is, although during the 
latter portion of them, in the autumn months, rough weather is often 
encountered with its accompanying dangers. 

When, however, winter comes, and the necessities of the fisher- 
men, many of whom have large families, render it imperative that 
they must follow winter fishing on Georges or to the Banks, then is 
presented a far different aspect. The summer with its balmy breezes, 
pleasant weather, clear skies and placid waters, gives place to the 
keen blasts, piercing cold, boisterous winds, murky sky and raging 
waters. Then the thick driving snow-storm, the terrible gales with 

3 
f 



4 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

all their accompaniments of disaster and discomfort, requiring the 
steady hand at the wheel, the firm purpose to meet and overcome 
obstacles, the determination on the part of these bread-winners to 
meet the perils which encompass their pathway over the trackless 
waters, to ride out the storm, if possible, or, under canvas, to keep 
their little craft safely afloat, until the danger is past and they can 
once more resume fishing. Danger lurks in the track of the fisher- 
men during the inclement season, and they literally take their lives 
in their hands when they sail away on their winter trips. 

Since the introduction of trawl fishing, some twelve years since, 
another peril has been added to the fisheries, viz. : that of being lost 
from the dories while visiting trawls, or estrayed during the fog 
which oftentimes shuts in on the fishing grounds, enveloping them 
like a pall. Then the dory men find it extremely difficult to discover 
their vessel. A fresh breeze springing up renders the situation still 
more dangerous, and notwithstanding the efforts made on board, by 
the firing of guns, blowing of horns, ringing of bells, and the con- 
tinued cruising about in search of the missing men, the fact of not 
being enabled to find them, and being obliged to give up the search 
and return home, is too often the case. There are chances of being 
picked up by some other vessels of the fleet, or by some merchant- 
man ; and there are instances on record where these trawlers, after 
having given up all hope of finding their vessel, with a perseverance 
which is characteristic of the fishermen, have been fortunate in shap- 
ing their course for land, and succeeded, after a wearisome row of 
two or three hundred miles, exposed to constant dangers, and suflTer- 
ing for food, in reaching the shore in safety. Such instances, how- 
ever, are rare. The majority of those who thus get estrayed from 
their vessel, pay the penalty with their lives ; and it does not require 
a very vivid imagination to portray the sufferings these men must 
endure, adrift as they are in a dory, on the vast expanse of water, 
with death by starvation, or to be swallowed up by the waves, con- 
stantly staring them in the face, each hour rendering their hope of 
escape less encouraging, adding to their discomforts and decreasing 
their powers of endurance. Many a bold-hearted fisherman, with 
the love of life strong within him, with youth and hope and bright 
prospects, ere he left his vessel in those fog-benighted regions, has 
had all these hopes and aspirations suddenly quenched, upon finding 
himself either alone, as is sometimes the case, but most generally 
with one companion, adrift on the Banks, and nearly exhausted iu 
their efforts to find the vessel, which to them is the ark of safety. 



FISHEEMEN'S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 5 

To lessen these dangers, each dory should be provided with sufficient 
food and water to sustain life for several days ; but the chances even 
then are against the fishermen, and ever}'' year adds to the list of 
those lost while engaged in setting or picking their trawls. 

The losses while engaged in trawl fishing as well as the cases of 
drowning from the vessels, are among the saddest incidents connected 
with the business, and the coming into the harbor of a vessel with 
her flag floating at half-mast, is an occasion of mournful interest. 
James Davis, Esq., has expressed the feeling awakened b}' such 
occurrences in the following beautiful poem, which was originally 
published in the columns of the Cape Ann Advertiser, and which we 
deem exceedingly appropriate to introduce into tliis chapter : — 



HALF-MAST HIGH. 



Half-mast liigh thfi signal floats ! 

She's coming in from sea. 
Some sailor of her crew is gone, 

Who may the lost one be? 
The landsmen gaze as she draws nigh, 
"With trembling, sad concern, 
The vessel's name to learn, 
That comes with colors half-mast liigh. 

Half-mast high the signal floats ! 

Who shall the mourners be. 
That soon must weep sad tears for him 

They never more shall see? 
Ah I many may heave the anxious sigh. 
For fear that it may prove 
To bo the one they love, 
For whom the flag floats half-mast high. 



Half-mast high the signal floats ! 

Oh ! can it bo 'tis he ? 
It speaks relief to other hearts. 

But is a knell to me. 
The word that names him who doth lie 
Low in his watery urn, 
And never shall return; 
For mine the flag floats half-mast high. 

Half-mast high the signal floats I 

Thus honored let them be, 
Who perish thus that we may live 

On treasures of the sea. 
For them, the hardy brave who die, 
And find no other grave 
But the deep oceau wave, 
We'll raise the colors half-mast high. 



If the hair-breadth escapes which every Georgesman or Banker 
has met with at one time or another could be gathered IVoin the lips 
of those who encountered them and saw deatli so very near, — scarcely 
a hope of escape, — what a volume it would make, and how its perusal 
would thrill the heart of the reader ! We could hardly believe these 
tales which the fishermen relate, unless they were authenticated by 
the most truthful circumstances, and the facts corroborated by their 
companions who were equally exposed to the threatening dangers, and 
with their shipmates stood face to fiice with death. Such tales are 
replete with the most thrilling incidents, and in other chapters of 
this book we publish several such, almost verbatim, as received from 
the persons who passed through the dangers and returned to port, 
scarcely knowing how they escaped, except as some of them solemnly 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



affirmed, tlie good God lent bis powerful aid in the midst of their 
dire extremity, and held them in the hollow of his mighty hand. 

Notwithstanding the large number or men, from this town, who 
served in the army and navy during the rebellion, the loss of life from 
the casualties of war was far less than the losses at sea for the same 
period of time. There were two hundred and eighty-two lives lost 
in the fishing business from this port during the four years of the war, 
while the record of those who have been killed, or died in the service, 
is less than half that number. It thus appears that our town suffered 
more from the perils of the ocean than tlie ravages of war — a fact 
which would hardly be credited, did not the statistics prove it. 

Ay, these perils attending the fisheries ! These it is which cause 
the heart of the young maiden or wife to quake with fear every time 
her lover or husband leaves port ; these it is which disturb the slum- 
bers of wife, sweetheart, mother and sister, which haunts them when 
they press their pillows at night, causing those fearful dreams of 
storm, shipwreck and disaster, which seem so much like reality that 
the dreamers start in their slumbers, feeling that awful dread which 
accompanies suspense, and which is so extremely difficult to banish 
from the mind, even when one is convinced that these phantoms arc 
merely the illusions of a dream. 

The wearisome and anxious watching for the return of the vessel 
which never again comes back to port ! That " looking out over the 
sea," with longing eyes, which is so often done by those having 
friends absent on the water, and which has been so well described by 
H. C. L. Haskell in one of his poems, which was also published in 
the Advertiser, and so appropriate, that we take the liberty to trans- 
fer it : — 

LOOiaNG OUT OVER THE SEA. 

THERE. 
Looking out over the sea, 

From the beautiful, golden strand, 
Looking out gladly, rejoicingly. 
Over the -waves of a tranquil sea, 
From the shores of a summer land; 
Waiting for comings that once shall be. 
And then each voyager from earth set free, 
Free from sorrow and care and pain, 
Shall leave the Haven never again. 
There they are watching whose spirits fled 
And journeyed on to the Port ahead ; 
Happily, gladly, rejoicingly, 
Looking out over the sea. 



HERE. 

Looking out over the sea, 

From a granite rim of shore, 
Looking out longingly, wearily. 
Over a turbulent, pitiless sea. 
For the sails that come no more ; 
Waiting and watching with tear-wet eyes, 
Till the last faint hope in the bosom dies; 
While the waves crawl up o'er the chill, white 

sand. 
Those watchers long for a clasping hand, 
And turn away with a thrill of pain. 
But often pause to look again 
From the rough, dark rocks of the sea-heat 

shore, 
For the gleam of snowy sails once more. 
Sadly, longingly, wearily, 
Looking out over the sea. 



fisherjVien*s memorial Amy record book. 7 

These perils have made of Georges a vast burial ground, where 
the bones of the fishermen are moved with the changing tide, or lie 
buried far beneath the sands of her treacherous shoals. A vast sep- 
ulchre, swallowing up many a young man in the pride of his youth, 
many a middle-aged toiler upon whose earnings a loving family were 
dependent, and many an aged one whose voyage of life, at best, 
would not have continued but a few years longer. What a throng 
have thus heard the summons, and amid the shriek of the gale, the 
crashing of timbers, met the " boatman pale," and been transferred 
from the storms of mortal life safely into the calm and peacefulness 
of the immortal ! The fearful record which follows this chapter tells 
its ow]i stor}' of woe and bereavement, and is published in this vol- 
ume as a memorial of the brave men who thus went out from amous 
us, and over whose resting-places no monumental stone can ever be 
placed as a tribute to their many virtues. 

As their former comrades read the names of these lost fishermen, 
many pleasant recollections of the old days, when they sailed with 
them in some of the crafts, will be revived, and we doubt not that 
these recollections will cause the tears to course down many a 
weather-beaten face, as he softly repeats a prayer for peace to the 
souls of those who have thus entered the beyond. 



fisheemen's memorial and eecoud book. 




List of the Nantes of Twelve hundred and Fiffif-tiva 3Ien and 
Two Hundred and Eighty-one Vessels Lost in the Fish- 
eries and other Maritime Branches, from the Port of 
Gloucester, from the Year 1830, to July 1st, 1873, 
Embracing a Period of Nearly Malf a Century, 
Also, the Valuation of the Vessel Prop- 
erty, and Insurance thereon. 



The following list of lives and vessels lost from this port eom- 
raenees with the year 1830, that being the period which marked the 
commencement of the Georges winter fishery, in the pursuit of which 
the great proportion of the losses have occurred. It has been found 
impossible to obtain the name of ever}' one of these lost fishermen, 
as it has sometimes occurred that men have been shipped just as the 
vessel was about sailing, and in the hurry of the moment their names 
were not added to the crew list. Consequently the reader will 
occasionally read the sad word, unknown. We have used every 
effort within our power to obtain the names of the unknown, as we 
wished, if possible, to have the record complete ; but were compelled 
to give up further inquiry, as there was not the slightest -possibility 
of gaining the required information. We are pleased to state that 
in these latter years the fishing firms are much more particular in 
obtaining correct crew lists of their vessels, ere they sail on their 
trips, and it is to be hoped that in the future this will be attended to 
in every instance. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 9 

1830. 

There were three vessels lost from the fleet this year in the mack- 
erel fishery, with seven men. 

Schooner OLIVE was lost in the month of August, with seven 
men, as follows: Samuel Dowle, Master; James Millett, Richard 
Dexter, Stephen Adams, William Adams, James Tucker, George 
Emmons. Owned by Messrs. Brown, Woodbury & Co. Valued at 
$1,600, and insured. 

Schooner HERALD went ashore on Eastern Point, October 20th, 
and became a total loss. Crew saved. Owned by William Parsons, 
Jr., and others, and uninsured. 

Schooner AMAZON, lost in the Bay of Chaleur. Crew saved. 
Owned by Daniel Gaffliey. Valued at $2,000 ; insured for $1,500. 

1832. 
Schooner FRIENDSHIP, Capt. Kenney, lost off Cape Sable. 
Crew saved. Owned by James Mansfield & Sons. 

1833. 
Schooner AMERICA, wrecked on George's Island, Boston Har- 
bor, April 23d. Crew saved. 

1834. 

Schooner ESSEX, freighter, Capt. Underwood, was lost, with her 
crew of four men, on the passage from New York to Port Cabello. 
Valued at $1,500 ; no insurance. 

1836. 
Schooner GOVERNOR EUSTIS,lost on Rainsford Island, Boston 
Harbor, Feb. 17th. Crew saved. 

1837. 

During the month of April a severe gale swept over Georges, 
where the fleet were engaged in fishing. Three of their number, 
with their crews, comprising about twentj'-four men, sank beneath 
the billows. This was the first serious loss on Georges of which we 
have the particulars, and those who remember the event, inform us 
that it spread a deep gloom over the town, and the widows and fa- 
therless children had the heartfelt sympathies of the entire com- 
muuit3^ These vessels were as follows : 

Schooner FAIR AMERICA, John Wonson, Master, and six oth- 



10 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

ers, viz. : Jabez Wonson, Ihe master's brother, "William Prindall, 

Andrews, Stapleton, Trask, Andrews. 

She was owned by "William Parkhurst, and valued at $1,600, and un- 
insured. 

Schooner BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Benjamin P. Norwood, 
Master, and six others, viz. : William Hinckley, Abraham Tarr, Jr., 
William S. Lane, Fitz Norwood, John R. Mitchell, Meshach Lane. 
Owned by Samuel W. Brown. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,300. 

Schooner VESTA, Josiah II. Fears, Master, and crew of six men, 
•viz. : George Goodrich, Edward Prindall, David Butler, "William 
Mason, Edward Bell, and one other whose name we could not learn. 
Valued at $2,000 ; insured for $1,000. 

Schooner RISING EMPIRE, Capt. Lane, was run down and sunk 
while mackereling, July 14th. Crew saved. Owned by Messrs. 
Daniel and Michael Gaffney. Valued at $1,000 ; uninsured. 

Schooner ADRIAN, lost on St. John's Island, August 10th. Crew 
saved. Valued at $1,500. 

1838. 

There were four vessels lost this year, and four men, as follows : 

Schooner MARTHA, a new vessel coming around from Essex, 
was capsized off Brace's Cove in a violent squall. Adonirara Boyd, 
her owner, and Obed Pulcifer, with two others, whose names we could 
not ascertain, were lost. Valued at $2,000 ; uninsured. 

Schooner GENTILE, Gorham Riggs, Master ; lost on Margaree 
Island, Bay of St. Lawrence, October 29th. Crew saved. Valued 
at $3,000 ; insurance of $2,000. Owned by the master and others. 

Schooner MONTICELLO, Burnham, Master ; lost in the mackerel 
fishery. Crew saved. Owned by Richard Friend & Sons. Valued 
at $1,500 ; insured for $1,000. 

Schooner MAID OF THE MILL, lost off the coast of Maine. 
Crew saved. Owned by Tristram Griffin. Valued at $600 ; unin 
sured. 

1839.- 

Two vessels and four lives were lost this year, as follows : 

JSchooner SEVO was run down in the night, by steamer Huntress, 
off Thacher's Island, and sank almost immediately. Capt. Peletiah 
Barker, Jr., of Portland, succeeded in climbing on board the steamer, 
Winthrop Sargent, a lad of twelve 3'ears, crawled out to the end of 
the bowsprit, and as the vessel was going down, grasped a splitting 
table which floated by, and by his cries attracted the attention of 
those on board ihe steamer, who rescued him with much difficulty. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 11 

The steamer pursued her course, find the sails of the vessel drifting 
ashore near Brace's Cove, it was thought all hands were lost. On 
the return trip of the steamer, young Sargent was brought home, 
and at two o'clock in the morning, was landed at Eastern Point, and, 
lad though he was, commenced his lonely journey of walking to 
town. He reached his father's house at about four o'clock, and 
knowing that he slept in a bed-room on the lower floor, tapped on 
the window. His father immediately awoke and exclaimed, " Who 
is there?" "It's your boy Winthrop," was the reply. Mr. Sargent 
at first thought it must be the ghost of the lad, as he had given him 
up as drowned ; but young Winthrop had no idea of being taken for 
a ghost, and soon gave evidence that he was alive and well, which 
caused great rejoicing in the family. There were four men lost in 
this vessel, viz. : Richard Triton, Nathaniel Remby, Jonathan Os- 
good, James McDonald. Owned by Messrs. Ellery & Gaffne3\ 
Valued at $1,300 ; insured for $1,150. 

Schooner TRANSPORT, Poole, Master, was capsized December 
28th. Crew saved. Valued at $2,500 ; insured for $2,000. 

1840. 
Two vessels and six lives were lost this year, as follows : 
Schooner IDA, was lost on Georges in the month of March. Had 

six men, viz. : Job Rowe, Master ; Albert Oakes, Francis Colbach, 

Samuel Lloyd, Joshua Clark, Andrew Johnson. Valued at $1,800; 

uninsured. 

Schooner MARY & ELIZABETH, Capt. Friend; lost at St. 

Peters, Bay of St. Lawrence, in October. Crew saved. Valued at 

$2,000 ; insured for $1,400. 

1841. 

There were two vessels and eight lives lost this year, as follows : 
Schooner FOREST, mackereling, was lost on Cape Cod, Oct. 
4th, with eight men : Stephen Rich, Master ; Robert S. Sawyer, 
Asa L. Collins, Benjamin Robinson, Joseph Gerring, Francis Wil- 
liams, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Ober. Owned by the master 
and Messrs. Giles & Wonson. Valued at $2,500, and uninsured. 

Boat JACK DOWNING, lost at Annisquam. Crew saved. 
Owned by Daniel Robinson. Valued at $225 ; insured for $150- 

1842. 
Three vessels were lost this j'ear, viz. : 
Schooner REINDEER, mackereling, lost in Newport Harbor, June 



12 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

13th. Crew saved. Owned by James Mansfield & Sons. Valued 
at $1,000, and uninsured. 

Schooner LIVELY, shore cod fishery, lost on Cape Cod in May. 
Crew saved. Owned by Joseph Friend & Co. Valued at $800 ; 
uninsured. 

Schooner MILO, lost on Isle of Shoals, November 15th. Crew 
save(^. Valued at $200 ; insured for $150. 

1843. 

There were three vessels and ten lives lost this year in the mack- 
erel fishery, as follows : 

Schooner BYRON, George Watson, Master ; was in the mackerel 
fishery, and was lost in the South Channel in the month of August. 
The following is a part of her crew list : Benjamin Watson, brother 
to the master ; John R. Curtis, Hosea Nelson, Aaron Perkins, Fred- 
erick Parsons, Isaac Fears, Joseph Fears, Jr., Joseph Stevens. 
Owned by Messrs. Joseph Friend & Co. Valued at $3,500 ; unin- 
sured. 

Schooner HENRIETTA, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence in Sep- 
tember. Crew saved. Owned by Gaffney & Davis. Valued at 
$1,000 ; insured for $800. 

Schooner BRANCH, also lost in Bay of St. Lawrence. Crew 
saved. Owned by Richard Friend & Sons. Valued at $1,500; in- 
sured for $1,200. 

1844. 

There were three vessels and seven lives lost this year, viz. : 

Schooner CONFIDENCE, lost on Georges in the month of Feb- 
ruary (the 28th, it is supposed). Had seven men on board, as fol- 
lows : David Parsons, Master ; Epes Norwood, Epes Norwood, Jr., 
Israel M. Wonson, Samuel Martin, Jefi"rey Parsons, Moses Ilodg- 
kins. Owned by John Wonson, East Gloucester. Valued at $1,500, 
and uninsured. 

Schooner ABIGAIL & ELIZA, Charles Sutton, Master, lost in 
the coasting business at St. Thomas. Crew saved. Valued at 
$3,000 ; insured for $1,500. 

Boat FAWN, lost on Rocky Neck in December. 

1845. 

There were four vessels and seven lives lost this year, as follows : 

Schooner PARIS, lost on Georges in March, with eight men. 

Hugh Parkhurst, Master ; Fitz E. Oakes, Moses Parsons, 4th, Sim- 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 13 

eon Coffin, James Low, Jacob Knights, Daniel Davis, John Wonson, 
Jr. Owned by the master and William Parkhurst & Bro. Valued 
at $1,600 ; insured for $800. 

Schooner REFORM, lost on Sandy Hook, May 15th. Crew saved. 
Owned by Samuel W. Brown. Valued at $900 ; insured for $750, 

Schooner ONLY DAUGHTER, was run down and sunk off Cape 
Canso, July 18th. Crew saved. 

Schooner EAGLE, Levi Robiuson, Master ; lost near Wood Island, 
November 7th. Crew saved. Owned by George N. Davis. Valued 
at $1,000 ; insured for $800. 

184G. 

There were three vessels and fifteen lives lost this year, as follows : 

Schooner GENERAL SCOTT, lost on Georges in November. 
James Bowdoin, Master, and a crew of seven men : Anthony Wise, 
Noah Quiner, Seth Foster, John Hawley, Joseph Gerring, Benjamin 
Millett, George Millett. Owned by David Parkhurst. Valued at 
$2,400; insured for $1,600. 

Schooner CANTON, lost on Georges in November. Had seven 
men, as follows : James Norwood, Jr., Master ; John Saunders, Jr., 
Elisha Lufkin, Samuel Parsons, Ephraim Tibbetts, Isaac Poole, 
John Woodbury. Owned by Samuel W. Brown. Valued at $1,500 ; 
insured for $1,200. 

Schooner FRANCES ELIZABETH, lost near Sparling's Point, 
Me., November 25th. Crew saved. Valued at $1,000; insured for 



1847. 

There were three vessels lost this year, but fortunately no lives. 

Schooner DELEGATE, Montgomery, Master ; sunk on Georges, 
April 29th. Crew saved by schooner Talisman. Owned by Epes 
Say ward & Co. Valued at $1,500 ; insured for $1,100. 

Schooner RIO GRANDE, cod fishing, lost on Eastern Point, June 
11th. Crew saved. Owned by Addison Gilbert, George Garland, 
and others. Valued at $3,500 ; insured for $3,200. 

Schooner BALANCE, Francis Bennett, Master ; in the freighting 
business, lost near Cape May, January 23d. Crew saved. Valued at 
$1,200; one-eighth insured for $150. Owned by the master, and 
others. 

1849. 

There were two vessels and ten lives lost this year, as follows : 
Schooner LEVI WOODBURY, lost in October, near Boon Island. 



14 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Engaged in the shore mackerel fishery. Had ten men on board. 
William Fears, Master; Josiah Bradstreet, Jr., John J. Parsons, 
Joseph W. Babson, Augustus Buruliam, Theodore Andrews, Benjamin 
H. Glover, Charles Ward, Thomas Roberts, Thomas Lane. Owned 
by the master and Robert Fears. Valued at $2,500; insured for 
$2,000. 

Schooner ENCHANTRESS, Enoch Snow, Master, lost on Cape 
Sable, June 4th. Crew saved. Owned by Joseph O. Procter. Val- 
ued at $1,000 ; one quarter insured for $200. 

1850. 

This proved a most disastrous year to the Georges fishery, result- 
ing in the loss of four vessels and thirty-nine lives, as follows : 

Schooner WILLIAM WALLACE, lost in February, with eight 
men : Stephen Decatur Griffin, of Annisquam, Master ; Daniel Ad- 
ams, George Brown, 3d, Frederick A. Lewis, William Grant, John 
Linedall, William Mansfield, Thomas Ingalls. Owned by Fitz E. 
Riggs &: Bro. Valued at $3,000 ; insured for $2,G00. 

Schooner TUSCANY, lost in March, with eight men. Charles H. 
Pew, Master; James Shackleford, John J. Barrett, Rufus Parsons, 
Aaron Hodgkins, Nathaniel S. Lufkin, Benjamin H. Brown, Jr., 
Spencer T. Jackson. Owned by the master and John Pew. Valued 
at $3,500 ; insured for $2,800. 

Schooner WALTER SCOTT, lost in April, with eight men. Jas. 
Hibbert, Master; Noah Hibbert, William Dexter, Israel Dodge, 
William A. Gahan, Thomas Wilson, Mark Lewis, Charles Gahan. 
Owned by James Hibbert and George Parkhurst. Valued at $3,000 ; 
insured for $2,400. 

Schooner SPECIE, lost the same month, with seven men. Ben- 
jamin Tarr, Master ; Charles Witham, Jr., Charles Lufkin, Augus- 
tus Anderson, Peter Anderson, Lewis Rice, Charles Tarr. Owned by 
"David Parkhurst. Valued at $3,000 ; insured for $2,500. 

1851. 

Another disastrous year to the Gloucester fishing fleet, resulting in 
the loss of nine vessels and thirty-two lives, all in the mackerel fish- 
ery, but one, and she was on Georges. 

Schooner OCEAN QUEEN was lost on Georges the 27th of No- 
vember. There were eight vaaw on board, as follows : Josiah Spinney, 
Master; George Horn, George Wolf, Stephen Snyder, William G. 
Nipkerson, Thomas Henderson, Edward Armstrong, Amos Stuart. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 15 

Owned by George Friend & Co. Valued at $3,000 ; insured for 
$2,500. 

Schooner FLIRT sank at her anchors in the Bay of St. Lawrence, 
during the terrible gale of October 3d. Had fourteen men on board. 
Aaron Stubbs, Master ; Joseph Chandler, John Stubbs, Hugh Harn- 
den, Edward Monsen, William Dauphney, George Fenley, Stephen 
Nickerson, William Forbes, Dean W. Woodbury, James Smith, 
John Shaw, and two others whose names are unknown. Owned by 
the master and Samuel Wonson & Sons. Valued at $4,000 ; insured 
for $3,500. 

Schooner PRINCETON, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in Octo- 
ber. Had ten men, viz. : Thomas Guard, Master ; Charles Wonson, 
Jr., John Gerring, Jr., Peter Shean, William W." Shean, Solomon 
Mehlman, Arnold Mason, Warren Pinkham, John Morrissey, Wm. 
Duffey. Owned by Benjamin Parsons & Sons. Valued at $3,000 ; 
insured for S2,G00. 

Schooner JUBILEE, run down in Bay of St. Lawrence, by schoon- 
er Summit. Crew saved. Owned by Daniel B. Hodgkins. Valued 
at $900 ; insured for $800. 

Schooner DANIEL P. KING, Harty, Master ; lost at Cape Breton, 
October 12th. Crew saved. Owned by Moses Tarr. Valued at 
$3,500 ; insured for $3,000. 

Schooner REDWING, lost at Chetticamp, October 12th. Crew 
saved. Owned by James Mansfield & Sons. Valued at $1,400; in- 
sured for $1,200. 

Schooner GARLAND, James Mclntire, Master ; lost at Malpec, 
in October. Crew saved. Owned by the master and Messrs. Gar- 
land & Cunningham, of Baltimore. Valued $4,000 ; insured for 
$3,500. 

Schooner POWHATTEN, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in 
October. Crew saved. Owned at Annisquam. Valued at $1,500; 
insured for $1,200. 

Schooner ELEANOR, lost at Malpec, in October. Crew saved. 
Owned by Robert Fears and others. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for 
$3,500. 

1852. 

This proved a still more disastrous year for the fishing business ; 
thirteen vessels and thirty-two lives being lost. Five of these ves- 
sels were lost on Georges, and eight in the Bay of St. Lawrence, as 
follows : 



16 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Schooner GOLDEN FLEECE, lost on Georges, in March, nine 
men : Sylvester Rust, Master ; Samuel Rust, brother of the master ; 
Edmund Cook, James S. Norwood, Henry Robinson, Samuel Jack- 
man, George Blaisdell, Samuel Atwood, and one man name unknown. 
Owned by W. H. Steele and Daniel Gaffney. Valued at $4,000 : 
insured for $3,500. 

Schooner C. E. PARKHURST, lost on Georges in March. She 
had a crew of eight men, viz. : John B. Turner, Master ; William 
Dexter, Henry Holley, Philip Pico, John King, John Colney, Wil- 
liam Riddel, John Nelson. Owned by Charles Parkhurst. Valued 
at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner BENJAMIN PARSONS, lost on Georges in April. 
Seven men, as follows : AVilliam Tibbcts, Master ; William G. 
Palmer, Charles J. Gilbert, John Guiro, David Aspee, James Mars, 
Dennis Phenelon. Owned by William Parsons, 2d, & Co. Valued 
at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner NAPOLEON, lost on Georges in the same gale. Had 
a crew of eight men, viz. : Addison Parsons, Master ; William Dun- 
more, Benjamin Rowe, Edward Everly, Frank McCloud, Antone 
Cora, John Poland, and one man name unknown. Owned by Moses 
Tarr. Valued at $1,600 ; insured for $1,400. 

Schooner HENRY A. HOLBROOK, lost on Georges in Novem- 
ber. Crew eight in number : William Remby, Master ; Obed A. 
Andrews, James Reed, Henry Green, John McKinnon, William 
Potton, Osborne S. Lawrence, William Hayden. Owned by George 
Friend & Co. Valued at $2,600 ; insured for $2,300. 

Schooner CYRENA S. COLBY, Colby, Master ; lost at Cascum- 
pec, in September. Crew saved. Owned by Addison Merchant & 
Co., and others. Valued at $5,000 ; insured for $4,700. 

Schooner JOHN GERARD, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in Oc- 
tober. Crew saved. Owned by John F. Wonson & Co. Valued at 
$4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner ATLANTA, lost at Souris, Bay of St. Lawrence, Octo- 
ber 15th. Crew saved. Owned by George Friend & Co. Valued 
at $3,400 ; insured for $3,000. 

Schooner OCEAN STAR, lost at Souris, October 15th. Crew 
saved. Owned by George Garland and Theodore Parsons. Valued 
at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner HANNIBAL, lost at Souris, October 15th. Crew saved. 
Owned by E. & Epes W. Merchant & Co. Valued at $2,600 ; in- 
sured for $2,200. 



fisheemen's memoeial akd eecoed book. 17 

Schooner AUGUSTA PARKER, lost at Sonris in the same gale. 
Crew saved. Owned by Epes W. Merchant, and others. Valued at 
$2,800 ; insured for $2,400. 

Schooner RIO DEL NORTE, lost at Souris, October 15th. Crew 
saved. Owned by Messrs. Moses Tarr and Andrew Leighton. 
Valued at $2,800 ; insured for $2,400. 

Schooner LEADER, lost at Souris, October loth. Crew saved. 
Owned by Messrs. James Mansfield & Sons. Valued at $1,000 ; in- 
sured for $800. 

1853. 

Three vessels were lost this year, one in the Bay of St. Lawrence, 
and two in the shore fishery, as follows : 

Schooner CHAMPION, Webb, Master; lost in the Bay of St. 
Lawrence, in October. Crew saved. Owned by James Mansfield & 
Sons and others. Valued at $1,800 ; insured for $1,500. 

Schooner OCEAN NYMPH, Capt. Samuel Elwell, Jr., run down 
by ship Sarah Jane, off Cape Cod, May 2d. Crew saved. Owned 
by master and others. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner MARY A. TAYLOR, Benjamin Taylor, Master; cod 
fishery, lost in Chatham Harbor, April 19th. Owned by Messrs. 
Grover & Steele. Valued at $4,200 ; insured for $3,800. 

1854. 

There were four vessels and twenty-six lives lost this year. Two 
vessels and twenty-one lives were lost on Georges, and two vessels 
in the trading business, viz. : 

Schooner FLIGHT, lost on Georges, in February. She had a 
crew of twelve men, as follows : Elias H. Willis, Master ; Mark 
Webber, John Littlefield, Charles Stearns, Thomas Frederickson, 
Frank McKenney, Thomas Furguson, Richard McCrate, and four 
men, names unknown. Ow«ed by E. W. Merchant, and others. 
Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner LUCY PULCIFER, lost on Georges, in March, with 
nine men, viz. : Peter McDonald, Master ; Ronald McDonald, John 
May, John Myers, Spencer A. Tyron, George Mclntire, George 
Brooks, Charles Hardison, Thomas Murphy. Owned by David 
Parkhurst, and others. Valued at $3,600 ; insured for $3,150. 

Schooner GOLD HUNTER, in the coasting trade, sailed for Vir- 
ginia on the night of February 17th, and was never afterward heard 
from. She had a crew of five men, viz. : Timothy Mclntire, Mas- 



18 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

ter; IMurdoch McLane, Mate; Sylvester LeBarron, Samuel Miller, 
Charles II. Rowo. Owned by the master an;l others. Valued at 
$4,500 ; insured for $4,000. 

Schooner SUSAN, in the coasting trade, lost December 1st, near 
Old House Cove, in tins harbor. Crew saved. Owned by Moses 
Tarr. Valued at $2,500 ; insured for $2,000. 

1855. 

Seven vessels and twenty-one lives were lost this year, viz. : Two 
vessels and sixteen lives on Georges ; two vessels and five lives in 
the coasting trade ; one schooner in Bay mackerel fishing, and two 
in the shore fishery, as follows : 

Schooner REPORTER, lost on Georges, in March. She had a 
crew of eight men, viz. : John Bearse, Master ; Samuel Bearse, Ed- 
ward Stuart, Josepli Sexton, James Rich, Nicholas Gifford, Charles 
Wooden, Michael Clary. Owned by Joseph O. Procter, and others. 
Valued at $4,500 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner ABNER L. COLBY, lost on Georges, in March, eight 
men : James Brown, Master ; John J. Ilutt, Was. McCaleb, John 
Pyne, James Sullivan, James Marr, James Flarhet}', John Powers. 
Owned by Addison Merchant & Co. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for 
$3,500. 

Schooner BESSIE NEAL, in the trading business, lost on the pas- 
sage from Prince Edward's Island to this port. Had a crew of five 
men, viz. : Joseph Ilerrick, Jr., Master; John McDonald, Mate; 
Duncan Hay, Isaac Hyde, James Roderick. Owned by C. E. & E. 
Grover, and others. Valued at $5,000 ; insured for $3,000. 

Schooner IMARY JONES, Friend, Master ; mackereling, lost on 
Prince Edward's Island, in September. Crew saved. Owned by 
George Friend, Jr., and others. Valued at $2,500 ; insured for 
$2,200. 

Schooner SOMERVILLE, George Adams, Master; bound for 
Wilmington, N. C, sunk July 18th. Cr^w saved. Owned by Da- 
vid Babson, and others, and insured. 

Schooner PHILANTHROPIST, Tristram Griffin, Master; lost 
at mouth of Annisquam Harbor, December 24th. Crew saved. 
Owned by master. Valued at $1,500 ; insured for $1,200. 

Schooner VAN, lost on Folly Island, Me. Crew saved. Owned 
by Daniel Robinson. Valued at $1,400 ; insured for $1,200. 

1856. 
Five schooners were lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, this year, 
and one vessel and two lives off this shore, as follows : 



fishermen's MEiMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 19 

Schooner ALPHA, lost in the Gut of Canso. Crew saved. Owned 
by Moses Burnham, and others. Vahicd at $700 ; insured for $500. 

Schooner LIONESS, Nathaniel Watson, Master ; burnt at Cara- 
belton, Bay Chaleur, June 30th. Partially insured. 

Schooner ITASKA, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in October. 
Crew saved. Owned by Samuel Irwin, and others. Valued at $3,800 ; 
insured for $3,325. 

Schooner SAMUEL JONES, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence. Crew 
saved. Owned by Charles Friend & Co. Valued at $3,800 ; in- 
sured for $3,325. 

Schooner ARBUTUS, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in October. 
Crew saved. Owned by Joseph 0. Procter. Valued at $3,800 ; in- 
sured for $3,325. 

Boat KOSSUTH, was probably run down during the latter part of 
August, as she v/as never heard from after leaving port. Two men 
lost, Aaron Babcock and Daniel Marshall. 

1857. 

Five vessels and nine men were lost this yea.v, one on Georges, 
three in the Bay mackerel fishing, and one in the coasting trade, 
viz. : 

Schooner OOLONG, lost on Georges, in February. She had a 
crew of nine men, as follows : James M. Kendall, Master ; George 
Juliar, Daniel Sullivan, Thomas A. Sinclair, James Hunter, John 
Williams, William Olson, John Anderson, John Giaham. Owned by 
Aaron D. Wells, and others. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $2,000. 

Schooner HOSEA BALLOU, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in 
October. Crew saved. Owned by John Parker. Valued at $1,200. in- 
sured for $1,050. 

Schooner MARY HART, lost at Cape Breton, in October. Crew 
saved. Owned by James S. Ayer, and others. Valued at $3,000 ; 
insured for $2,700. 

Schooner MONTEZU^MA, lost at Cape Breton, in October. Owned 
by Andrew Leighton. Valued at $2,300 ; insured for $2,000. 

Schooner PRISCILLA, in the trading business, lost on Norman's 
Woe, Gloucester Harbor, in July. Owned by James Mansuekl & 
Sons. Valued at s<51,000, and uninsured. 

1858. 
There were seven vessels and forty-two lives lost this year, as 



20 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

follows : four in tlie Bay of St. Lawrence, one in tbe P. E. Island 
trading ; and two in the Newfoundland herring fisher3\ 

Schooner VILLAGE BELLE, Angus Harvey, Master; with a 
crew of twelve men, whose names Ave were unable to obtain, as 
they were shipped in the Gut of Canso. The captain's wife and child, 
and a young lady passenger, were also on board, making in all six- 
teen lives lost in this vessel. Lost while coming from the Bay, in 
October. Owned by George F. Wonson & Brother. Valued at 
$3,700 ; insured for $3,237. 

Schooner THREE SISTERS, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in 
November. Crew saved. Owned by Addison Merchant, and others. 
Valued at $500 ; insured for $400 

Schooner PREMIUM, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in October. 
Crew saved. Owned by David Low & Co. Valued at $800 ; in- 
sured for 6700. 

Schooner GERANIUM, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in Octo- 
ber. Crew saved. Owned by Joseph O. Procter. Valued at $800 ; 
insured for $700. 

Schooner JOHN FRANKLIN, was lost while coming from Prince 
Edward Island, in the winter of 1858-59. Had several passengers 
on board, and it is supposed fourteen persons went down in this ves- 
sel. Her crew list was as follows: John McDonald, Master ; Den- 
nis Murphy, Mate ; John Cogle, Neil McNeil, Angus Chisholm, Ed- 
ward Malady. The family of Cogle were among the passengers. 
Valued at $4,500, and miinsured. 

Schooner ALEXANDRIA sailed from Newfoundland for New 
York, Feb. 2d, with a cargo of herring, and was never afterwards 
heard from. She had a crew of six men, as follows : Samuel A. 
Miller, Master ; Samuel S. Ta5dor,Mate ; William G. Taylor, William 
E. Stevens, James Stevens, Zenas Doane. Owned by DoUiver & 
Stacy. Valued at $4,000, and uninsured. 

Schooner QUEEN OF CLIPPERS, in the Newfoundland herring 
fishery, was lost with six men in the winter of 1858-59. George 
Stoddard, Master; Daniel Grant, Mate; William Powell, Hugh 
Cameron, Alex. Cameron, Thomas Donny. Owned by Andrew 
Leighton. Valued at $4,400 ; insured for $3,500. 

1859. 
There were six vessels and thirty-six lives lost this year, as fol- 
lows : three on Georges, two in the Newfoundland fishery, and one 
freishter 



fishermen's me:morial and record book. 21 

Schooner YOUNGr AMERICA, lost on Georges, in March, with 
eight men. Charles Lord, Master ; Sewall H. Merrifielc], William 
B.Haskins, William Gamage, Jason Davis, John Thm'ston, Nathaniel 
Lavelett, John A. Martin, mostly belonging in Rockport. Owned by 
David Low & Co. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner GRACE T. POWERS, lost on Georges, in the terrible 
gale of April 1st, with eight men, viz. : John W. Powers, Master; 
Stephen Powers, brother of the master ; John T. Stutton, Benjamin 
Munroe, George Potter, Eleazer G. Noble, David Murray, James 
Lucas. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner CHARLES E. GROVER was probably lost the same 
day, with nine men, viz. : William Gould, Master ; Thomas Walen, 
Elisha Hall, Stillman Hipson, Thomas Rolles, James Gray, James 
Parrington, Andrew Ness, Dexter Hall. Owned by George Friend & 
Co. Valued at $3,400 ; insured for $2,975. 

Schooner ETHERLINDE, Capt. Dix, in the Newfoundland fish- 
ery, lost on Ragged Island, in March. Crew saved. Owned by 
David Parkhurst, and the master. Valued at $4,500 ; insured for 
$3,000. 

Schooner HENRIETTA, in the Newfoundland herring fishery, lost 
on Miquelou Island, in January. Crew saved. Owned by James 
S. Ayer. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner START, in the freighting business, lost on Narragansett 
Beach, Feb. 26th. Crew saved. Owned by John W. Lowe. 

Asa West, of Belfast, Me., was lost overboard, on the night of 
March 1st, from schooner Ocean Ranger, on Georges. 

George Gkat, of Boston, was lost overboard from schooner 
Grapeshot, in the same gale. 

William Thompson, alias Thomas Shiel Lacodnt, of Mt. De- 
sert, Me., was lost from schooner Little Lizzie, in the same gale. 

Andrew Freeman, one of the crew of schooner Lilly Dale, was 
lost overboard off Mt. Desert, April 1st. 

Alexander Frazier, of Cape Breton, N. S., of schooner Rover, 
was lost on Georges, April 5th. 

James McDonald, one of .the crew of schooner Christie Campbell, 
died in the Bay, from the effects of swallowing a match. 

Peter Williamson, one of the crew of schooner St. Louis, fell 
overboard in October, while the vessel was in the Bay, and was 
drowned. 

Caleb Goodwin, one of the crew of schooner Nourmahal, died on 
Georges, quite suddenly, of heart disease, April 10th. 



22 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Daniel S. Holly, one of the crew of schooner Sabine, was Imock- 
ed overboard by the boom, while the vessel was jibbing over in the 
Bay of St. Lawrence, September 2d, and was drowned. 

Franklin Amerjian was knocked overboard by the main boom of 
schooner Flora Temple, in the Bay of St. Lawrence, Sept. 14th, and 
drowned. 

Daniel II. Brown, of schooner Montebello, was knocked over- 
board and drowned off Cape Sable, October 6th, while on the pas- 
sage home from the Bay. 

1860. 

The Georges fishery was quite disastrous this year, there having 
been five vessels and forty-eight lives lost in its pursuit ; one vessel 
was lost in the mackerel fishery, with eleven men ; thirteen men were 
lost from vessels other than Georgesmen, making a total of seventy- 
three lives. One vessel was lost in the Prince Edward Island trade. 

Schooner GEORGE WASHINGTON was lost in the February 
gale, with nine men: John McDonald, Master; John McGrath, 
John McPheo, Sewcll King, Joseph Williams, Ronald McEacheron, 
Eora McPhee, Peter McNeil, Joseph King. Owned by Pettingill & 
Cunningham. Valued at $1,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner ADVANCE was lost in the same gale with eight men, as 
follows: John Thompson, Master; Benjamin F. Hamlin, Michael F. 
Morey, Edwin F. Hall, James Nolan, Charles Seymour, Joseph Sell- 
ers, Augustus McGrath, Thomas Nolan. Owned by William Par- 
sons, 2d & Co. Valued at $3,650 ; insured for $3,200. 

Schooner WILLIAM S. WONSON, lost in the same gale, with 
nine men, viz.: William II. Lunt, Master; Joseph W. Douglass, 
George Parsons, Gilbert Perry, Lawrence Cook, John Wilson, Wm. 
Carter, A. J. Knowlton, George Wainwright. Owned by George F. 
Wonson & Brother. Valued at $4,500 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner RELIEF, Elisha Newcombe, Master ; with eight others, 
as follows: William Smith, Thomas Riley, Alex. McEacheron, Sam'l 
R. Spinney, Perez Birtler, Charles Bearse, Jacob Vanamburg, Albert 
Mclntire. Owned by John Pew & Son. Valued at $3,800 ; insured 
for $2,494. 

Schooner PLEASANT BAY was lost in April. Fitted by Messrs. 
Pettingell & Cunningham, and owned in Essex and Beverly. Wil- 
liam II. Gage, Master. Of the crew of eight men, the name of Wm. 
Hodgkins, of this town, is the only one known ; four of the others 
bailed from Beverly. Valued at $3,800 ; insured for $3,300. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 23 

Schooner NEPTUNE'S BRIDE, lost on Malcomb's Ledge, Me., 
with eleven men, in the shore mackerel fishery. Jacob Olsen, Mas- 
ter ; George Norwood, Manuel Silva, J. Enos Silva, William John- 
sou, James 11. Bird, Tolef Anderson, William Hale}', J. Antoine Sil- 
va, Peter Johnson, and a young man whose name could not be ascer- 
tained. Owned by Charles Parkhurst. Valued at $5,000 ; insured 
for $3,500. [Joseph Marsh was taken from the mast-head in an al- 
most dying condition, and Henry Jounson clung to the boat and 
was rescued.] See page 153 for the thrilling narrative of that fear- 
ful night. 

Schooner PILOT, in the P. E. Island trade, went ashore near Chab- 
ham Camp, N. S., Dec. 20th, and became a total loss. No lives lost. 
Owned by H. Babson & Co. Valued at $l,G0O ; insured for $1,000. 

William Fowler was lost oveil)oard from schooner Rattler, in the 
Bay of St. Lawrence, June 13th. 

Henry Hill, of Winterport, Me., died on board schooner Romp, 
March 18th. 

Francis Wyman and George Granson, two of the crew of schoon- 
er Fearless, left their vessel on the Bank, March 30th, to set their 
trawls, and were never heard of afterwards. 

William Potter, of Providence, fell between the wharf and vessel, 
at Charles Parkhurst's wharf, on the night of November 5th, and was 
so badly injured that he died. 

Lost overboard, on her passage to Newfoundland, from schooner 
Sarah E. Smith, a man named Myers. 

Lost overboard, on Georges, from schooner Typhoon, Samuel P. 
Huse. 

Lost overboard, from schooner Sarah B. Harris, Haynes Low, of 
Rockport. 

Capt. Benton Story, of Rockport, was lost overboard from 
schooner We'ic Here, May 8th, oflf this harbor. 

William F. Bowen, a lad of fifteen years, son of John D. Bowen, 
was lost overboard from schooner Rescue, Sept. 20th, on the passage 
from the Bay of St. Lawrence. 

Orrich H. Wixon was lost overboard from schooner John Pew, on 
the passage from the Bay, in September. 

Charles F. Anderson, of the schooner Traverse, was lost over- 
board in July, on Georges. 

John J. Allen, son of James D Allen, was lost from schooner 
Brant, Oct. 7th. 



24 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Joseph Parsons was lost overboard from schooner S. E. Smith, in 
the Bay of St. Lawrence, Sept. 18th. 

William Hart was lost from schooner Coquette, on the passage 
from the Bay of St. Lawi-ence, October 20th. 

Caft. Joseph Greenleaf, was lost overboard from schooner Nile, 
on the passage from Boston, November 23d. 

John Marstons was found drowned in the dock of the wharf of 
A. Merchant & Co. 

1861. 

The number of vessels lost this year is the largest of any one year 
thus far from this port, being fifteen. Number of lives, forty-four. There 
were four vessels lost on Georges, three in the Bay of St. Lawrence, 
three Georgesmen in the harbor, one on Cape Cod, one at St. Mary's, 
one at Ragged Island, one at Louisburg bar, and one at Cole Bay. 

Schooner SWEEPSTAKES, lost on Georges, in February. Jas. 
Scearth, Master ; crew of eight men as follows : Neal Walker, Chas. 
Bixzett, Augustus McDonald, James Barkley, John Stewart, Mat- 
thew West, Thomas Jackman, James McCullough. Owned by Clark 
& Rust. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,325. 

Schooner SUSAN YOUNG was lost the same time. Nine men. 
Anthony Medeors, Master ; George McDonald, Otis R. Swain, 
Manuel Francis, Antoine Gormez, Joseph Antoine, William Denni- 
son, Edwin Nealy, Joseph Carter. Owned by Wm. H. Friend & Co. 
Valued at $3,000 ; insured for $2,275. 

Schooner H. M. STANWOOD was probably lost in the same gale. 
Patrick Gorman, Master ; and seven men : viz., Benjamin E. Owen, 
George Ash, James Warren, Joseph Minor, Henry Laroque, Joseph 
Parker, Gamaliel Stewart. Owned by Hardy & McKenzie. Valued 
at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner WHITE SWALLOW lost at the same time, with 
nine men. Peter Nelson, Master ; Charles H. Booman, Stephen 
Barnard, John Botherton, James McDonald, John Herman, John 
Johni?on, Peter Lawson, and Henry Bertram were lost in her. Owned 
by Davis & Maddox. Valued at $3,400 ; insured for $2,975. 

Schooner TELEGRAPH, while returning from Georges on the 
night of Feb. IGth, came into collision with the schooner M. C. Rowe, 
olF Eastern Point, and, becoming unmanageable, went ashore near 
Norman's Woe, and became a total loss. One of the crew, Emanuel 



FISHERMEN'S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 25 

Ferclinnnfl, was drowned ; the remainder were saved. Owned by 
Charles Parkhurst. Valued at ^3,200 ; insured for $2,800. 

Schooners MARY D. BABSON and D. P. GALE drove out of tlie 
harbor in tlie severe gale of March 21st, and went ashore near " Old 
House Cove," where they became a total loss. The former was owned 
by H. Babson & Co., valued at $4,500 ; insured for $3,775, and the lat- 
ter by David Parkhurst & Co. Valued at $4,600 ; insured for $4,000. 
Crews saved. 

Schooner MOHENIE, while retui-ning from the Bay, in August, 
went ashore at Cape Sable, and became a total loss. Crew saved. 
Owned by David Parkhurst & Co. Valued at $3,450 ; insured for 
$3,150. 

Schooner COQUETTE went ashore on the bar at Port Hood, in 
September, and became a total wreck. Crew saved. Owned by 
George F. Wonson and Bros. Valued at $3,200 ; insured for $2,800. 

Schooner E. K. KANE went ashore at Liverpool, N. S., on her re- 
turn trip from the Bay, and became a total loss. Crew saved. 
Owned by Pettingill & Cunningham. Valued at $3,400 ; insured for 
$2,800. 

Schooner REPUBLIC, while returning from a trading voyage, went 
ashore at Ragged Island, and became a total loss. Crew saved. 
Owned by Charles Friend & Co. Valued at $2,500 ; insured for 
$2,000. 

Schooner NARRAGAUGUS, from St. Pierre, Miquelon, went ashore 
at St. Mary's, near Guysboro', Feb. 12th, and was lost. Crew saved. 
Owned by George Hughes. 

Schooner R. H. OAKES went ashore on Louisburg Bar, December 
24th, and became a total loss. Crew saved. Owned by Sinclair & 
Low. Valued at $6,000 ; insured for $5,000. 

Schooner ELLA OSBORNE went ashore at Cole Bay, in Decem- 
ber, and became a total loss. Crew saved. Owned by Capt. John 
McMullen. Valued at $3,200 ; insured for $2,500. 

Schooner ST. CLOUD, lost in March, on Cape Cod, while on a 
voyage from New York to Boston. Crew saved. Owned by George 
Steele. Valued at $3,800 ; insured for $3,000. 

Fkank Williams was lost overboard from schooner Daniel McPhee, 
on a trip to Western Banks, in February. 

John Witham was lost about twenty-five miles off Eastern Point, 
from schooner Sparkling Wave, on a return trip from Georges, in 
March. 



26 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

William L. Elmore was lost ou Georges, in March, from schooner 
Rival. 

Alfred Adams, lost overboard in March, from schooner Lucille 
Curtis, on Georges. 

James Clarey was lost from schooner General Butler, in the Gut 
of Canso. 

Joseph Shankling, lost in the Bay from schooner Lodi, in No- 
vember. 

DuNCAX McMuLLEN and William Frexcii, left schooner Cynisca 
on the Banks, October 12th, to examine their trawls, and were never 
seen again. 

1862. 

LOST IN THE FEBRUARY GALE. 

On Monday evening, February 24th, a terrible gale from the north- 
west suddenly burst upon the fishing fleet on Georges, where there 
were about seventy sail at anchor vejy near to each ottier. Not hav- 
ing sufficient warning of the blow, they were unable to heave up, arid 
the fact of there being thirteen vessels lost with their entire wews, 
and two abandoned, and their crews rescued by inward-bound ves- 
sels, will give some idea of the fearful collisions which occurred, and 
the terrible violence of the storm. The anxiety of those having 
friends thus exposed was terrible to witness, and, as each vessel round- 
ed Eastern Point, there was the most intense desire to learn her 
name, and to ascertain if those on board had seen anything of other 
vessels since the blow. Nearly every vessel met with more or less 
disaster, losing cable and anchors, booms, masts, or were so badly 
stove up as hardly to be able to get back to port. One by one they 
came along until the number narrowed down to thirteen, who with 
their crews had left port for their last fishing trip. 

Two of the vessels were abandoned, the crews having narrow es- 
capes. There was general sorrow throughout the community. Many 
of the best skippers of the town were lost in this gale, as several of 
them were on board some of the vessels lost, having taken this trip 
as their own vessels were not quite ready to start. There were lost 
in this gale one hundred and tiventy men and fifteen vessels, leaving 
seventy widows and one Jiundred and forty fatherless children. In ad- 
dition to this terrible disaster, there were lost, previous to this gale, 
thirty-eight men and four vessels. One each in the Georges, Bank, 
Newfoundland and shore winter fisheries, making an aggregate of 
nineteen vessels in all, and one hxmdred and sixty-two men. 

The losses in the February gale were as follows : 

Schooner ENTERPRISE, nine men, viz. : Henry Peterson, Master ; 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 27 

John Foster, Charles Brown, Hervey Peterson (son of master), 
Erastus Rackliffe, A. E. Benson, Wm. Baryson, F. H. Quimby, and 
one man, name unknown. Owned by Geo. F. Wonson & Bros. Val- 
ued at $4,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner GEORGE F. "WONSON, nine men, viz. : Artemas Cam- 
eron, Master; Gorham Clark, Jr., Elijah Gardner, "Wm. Dingle, Mur-, 
dock McNeil, Thomas W. Firth, John Lind, Joseph Atwatcr, "Wm. 
Strand. Owned bj' Capt. Artemas Cameron. "Valued at $3,500 ; 
insured for $3,000. 

Schooner MAY QUEEN, uine men, viz. : George Brant, Master ; 
John Smith, Alex. Hutchins, Matthew Olson, Samuel Parsons, James 
"Webb, Benj. F. Parsons, John W. Johnson, James Hudson. Owned 
by Wm. Parsons, 2d, & Co. Valued at $3,800 ; insured for $3,325. 

Schooner OCEAN FLO"WER, nine men, viz. : John Carney, Mas- 
ter ; James Fitzpatrick, James Brady, Dennis Olcutt, James Bre- 
man, Daniel Conway, Cornelius Fluen, Daniel Long, John Griffin. 
Owned by Charles Parkhurst. Valued at $3,600 ; insured for $3,150. 

Schooner OCONOMOWOC, ten men, viz. : Dennis S. Kelly, Mas- 
ter ; John Henderson, John P. Parsons, John McNash, John Mur- 
phy, James Parsons, Michael Murphy, Dennis Kelly (master's son), 
Joseph Brown, John Jerret. Owned by Charles Parkhurst. Valued 
at $3,200 ; insured for $2,800. 

Schooner NORTH STAR, nine men, viz. : James Roach, Master ; 
Thomas Foley, James Donnelly, Joseph Brown, Thomas Jones, Otis 
Scarborough, Thomas Tobin, James Ilenderhan, Richard Harris. 
Owned by Charles Parkhurst. Valued at $2,800 ; insured for $2,450. 

Schooner CONTEST, nine men, viz. : John Crawley, Master ; Pe- 
ter Lunderkin, John Sterling, Robert Corcoran, Robert Hambletou, 
Michael "Wallis, James Foley, Michael "Welsh, James Corwin. 
Owned by George Friend & Co. Valued at $4,200 ; insured for 
$3,675. 

Schooner NEBRASKA, nine men, viz. : Spencer Olmore, Master ; 
Manuel Williams, Samuel Blatchford, Jr., Levi Gove, Manuel Jo- 
seph, John Yeatou, Manuel Silva, Frank Perrj^, Joseph Silva. Own- 
ed by George Friend & Co. Valued at $3,200 ; insured for $2,800. 

Schooner CLARA EVA, nine men, viz. : Wm. T. Rogers, Master ; 
Manuel Zuza, Manuel Innis, Daniel G. Griudle, Richard Carter, 
Wm. T. Young, Joseph Silva, John Dickson, Manuel Peter. Owned 
by Charles Friend & Co. Valued at $3,000 ; insured for $2,625. 

Schooner ANNIE LAURIE, nine men, viz. : Charles Dunnells, 
Master ; Henry Carter, Peter Brant, George Walker, Johu O'Neil, 



28 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Joseph Lawrence, John Jenkins, George Folger, Andrew Fults. 
Owned by John Pew. Valued at 83,600 ; insured for $3,150. 

Schooher JOHN J. CRITTENDEN, ten men : Joseph McCarty, 
Master ; Joseph McCallbeck, Samuel Colby, Frederick Scott, Tim- 
othy Currier, William Kiley, Michael Stapleton, Michael Daniels, 
Daniel McAdams, David Bankham. Owned by Pettingill & Cun- 
ningham. Valued at $4,200 ; insured for $3,675. 

Schooner ANGLO SAXON, ten men, viz. : George W. Barbour, 
Master; Michael Hogan, "Wm. Low, King Crine, Frank Veader, 
Joseph Carry, Henly Hall, Manuel Silva, John Williams, James A. 
McKay. Owned by Fitz E. Riggs & Brother. Valued at $4,000 ; 
insured for $3,500. 

Schooner DREADNAUGHT, nine men, viz. : George F. Dunnels, 
Master ; Manuel Silver, David Lurvy, William T. McCrate, John Sil- 
ver, Josiah Scott, Charles N. Baker, Jacob Hopster, Reuben Walker. 
Owned by Pettingill & Cunningham. Valued at $3,600 ; insured for 
$3,150. 

Schooner BORODINO, Knight, Master ; was disabled and aban- 
doned on Georges. Crew taken off by schooner Peerless, and 
brought to this port. Owned by George Steele. Valued at $3,000 ; 
insured for $2,625. 

Schooner QUICKSTEP, Brewer, Master ; was also disabled at the 
same time. Crew taken off by schooner Northern Chief, and brought 
to port. Owned by George F. Wonson & Bros. Valued at $3,200 ; 
insured for $2,800. 

LOSSES PRIOR TO THK FEBRUARY GALE. 

Schooner CYNISCA was lost on Western Bank, January 1st, 
with nine men, viz. : Adam Hunter, Master ; Daniel Smith, Fletcher 
McPherson, Frederick Warren, Lawrence Hunter, Murdock Mat- 
thewson, David Martin, Archibald Black, Calvin C. Campbell. Three- 
quarters of her were owned by Capt. Hunter & Bro., and the balance 
by David W. Low. Valued at $3,600 ; insured for $3,000. 

Schooner LIFE BOAT was lost in the gale of January 1st, with 
nine men, viz. ; Curtis Hodgkins, Master ; Duncan M. Cunningham, 
Angus Grant, John Skillan, John Haines, Charles Kempton, Solo- 
mon Conard, John Chisholm, John T. Shrider. Owned by David C. 
Babson & Co. Valued at $4,000 ; uninsured. 

Schooner OCEAN TRAVELLER was lost on her passage to New- 
foundland, in the gale of January 1st, with her crew often men, viz. : 
John F. Smith, Master ; John R. Johnson, John Gardner, John 
McEannon, Samuel Durgin, Richard Anderson, Patrick Parsons, 



fishermen's memorial, and record book. 29 

John Roach, B. Hill, George Ebenezer. Three-quarters owned by 
the master, and the remainder by Samuel W. Brown. Valued at 
$4,000 ; insured for $2,500. 

Schooner OREGON, lost January 20th, on Quaddy Head, with 
eight men, viz. : S. Guptil, Master ; J. Ingersoll, John O'Brien, 
Wm. McDonald, Eben Wormell, M. Haudlan, Henry Moffltt, Simon 
Hanley. Owned by George F. Wonson, and others. Valued at 
$2,000 ; insured for $1,500. 

Richard "Wheaton, lost overboard from schooner Kit Carson, on 
her homeward passage from Newfoundland, January 10th. 

William Campbell, lost overboard on Georges, from schooner 
Sea Foam, in March. 

Daniel Desmond, of schooner A. R. Andrews, lost overboard Oct. 
12th, off Thacher's Island. 

James L. Buck, of schooner Wild Rover, lost overboard on the 
passage home from the Bay of St. Lawrence, in October. 

John McDonald, of schooner Flying Fish, was drowned April 
20th, by falling between the vessel and wharf. 

George E. Webber, of this town, one of the crew of schooner 
Glad Tidings, died at Prince Edward's Island, August 10th, of 
typhoid fever. 

1863. 

There were nine vessels and six lives lost in the fishing business 
this year : two vessels in the Newfoundland, and one in the Bank 
fishery. The pirate Tacony made a raid on the fishing fleet at an- 
chor in the South Channel, June 22d, burning six of the vessels. 

Schooner WILLIAM PARKMAN was dismasted off Beaver 
Island, in a gale, and was subsequently towed into Beaver Harbor, 
and sold. One of the crew, named Philip Carey, was drowned. 
Owned by George Steele. Valued at 83,200 ; insured for $2,800. 

Schooner ALFALFA was lost at English Harbor, Newfoundland^ 
in January. Crew saved. Owned by Charles Parkhurst. Valued at 
$2,500 ; insured for $2,000. 

Schooner MARY E. HILTZ, John Hiltz, Master ; was lost off 
Marblehead, on her homeward passage from Newfoundland, February 
26th, during a violent snow storm. One of her crew, named Thosias 
Christopher, was drowned. Owned by the master and George P. 
Rust. Valued at $7,500 ; insured for $3,500. 

The following are the names of the vessels burned by the Tacony. 
They were valued at $25,000, and insured, but the manner of their 
being destroyed rendered the insurance invalid. Claims have been 



30 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

made upon the Government for indemnification, and it is presumed 
that the insurance money will be paid by the United States. 

Schooner MAREXGO, owned by George Steele. 

Schooner RIPPLE, owned by Wm. A. Pew. 

Schooner ELIZABETH ANN, owned by Fitz E. Riggs. 

Schooner RUFUS CIIOATE, owned by Pettingill & Cunningham. 

Schooner WANDERER, owned by George Perkins & Co., and 
her master, Capt. Charles H. Pierce. 

Schooner ADA, owned by James Power and James Tobin. 



James Mcrphy and Daniel Buckley, were lost overboard from 
schooner Horatio Babson, Jr., on Georges, in February. 

Robert Mitchell, of Kittciy, Me., lost overboard from schooner 
Oliver Burnham, Feb. 16th, on passage to Georges. 

Benton Lewis, of Boothbay, Me., lost in the Bay of St. Law- 
rence, Nov. 9th, from schooner Charlotte Brown. 

1864. 

This was another disastrous year to the fishermen, proving with 
the exception of 1862, the most unfortunate since the Georges fish- 
ery commenced. By these sad disasters to the fishing fleet, eighty' 
jive men found a water^^ grave, and thirteen vessels were lost, viz. : 
eight on Georges, two in the Bay of St. Lawrence, two in the New- 
foundland fishing, and one in the freighting business. 

The night of March 22d will long be remembered as the com- 
mencement of a severe northeaster. There were at this time about 
one hundred sail on Georges, and the howling of the wind carried 
sad forebodings to many anxious wives, mothers, and other near and 
dear friends of the Georgcsmen. They knew full well that nothing 
short of a miracle would bring all of that fleet back to port, and the 
dread question, who will be lost? repeated itself over and over again 
in the minds of the anxious watchers here at home. It was a sol- 
emn time, and all hearts felt that again there were to be lamentations 
for those who would never return ; and finally, when one by one 
these Goorgesmen came creeping back to port, and days and weeks 
passed in anxious hope that others would follow, it was found that 
six were missing, as follows : 

Schooner JOHN G. DENNIS, with ten men, viz. : Andrew D. 
Bartlett, of Southport, Me., Master ; Joel W. Bartlett, (his brother,) 
"Wm. F. Dunton, Franklin Towle, botli of Southport ; Amos Stin- 
son, Deer Isle, Me. ; Stillman Spinney, Thomas McDonald, An- 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 31 

drew Snyder, Daniel Holly, James Rogers, of this town. Owned by 
Shute & Merchant. Valued at S5,500 ; insured for $4,500. 

Schooner LIGHT OF HOME, nine men: Thomas J. Moody, 
Master; Simeon Moody (his brother), John Buote, William Frazier, 
James Quirk, Francis Dousett, George Barbour, James Duyer, John 
Smith, all of this town. Owned by Epos Sayward & Co. Valued at 
$6,000 ; insured for $4,375. 

Schooner OLIVER BURNHAM, nine men : Paul Bushy, Master ; 
Isaac Bushy (his brother), Charles Mace, Samuel C. Mace '(his 
brother), Newbury port ; EphraimT. Briggs, Charles King, Charles B. 
Marshall, Michael Doursey, Charles Clark. Owned by Charles 
Friend & Co. Valued at $3,800 ; insured for $2,450. 

Schooner NAWADAHA, ten men: James Power, Master; Ed- 
ward Power (his brother), Michael Maddix (nephew to master), 
William Murpliy, Alex. Maney, David Cushman, all of this town ; 
John Handrahan and Peter Giddings, of Newburyport ; one man, 
name unknown. Owned by H. C. Knapp & Co. Valued at $7,000; 
insured for $6,500. 

Schooner EMMA FRANCES, nine men : John C. Mellows, of Chat- 
ham, Master; Manuel Rose, Joseph Wood, Joseph Silva, Jr., Geo. 
Williams, Andrew Francis, John Williams, Charles Silva, C. H. Orr 
(a stranger, and it is not known where he belonged). Owned by 
David Parkhurst and Edward & William Babson. Valued at $5,000 ; 
Insured for $3,150. 

Schooner R. E. SPOFFORD, ten men ; James Smith, Master ; 
Louis Graves, James McKellan, Martin Parker, Benjamin Low, 
Charles Dahl, Augustus Swinson, John Carly, Augustus Collins, 
Stephen McGrath. Owned by Clark, Rust & Co. Valued at $8,000 ; 
insured for $4,000. 

To many families the losses in the above gale came with double 
severity, as four of the vessels had brothers on board, viz. : the Bart- 
letts, of Westport, Me. ; the Maces of Newburyport, and the broth- 
erg Powers and Moody of this town. Amos Stinson, lost in the J. 
G. Dennis, was a brother to Ira, lost from the schooner Emma Fran- 
ces, in the same gale. Capt. Powers, of the Nawadaha, was formerly 
master of the Ada, which was burned by the pirate Tacon^'-, in 1863. 

In addition to the above, there were two vessels and their crews 
lost on Georges, in the February gale, as follows : 

Schooner RAVEN, nine men : John Kennedy, Master ; John 
Shuttleworth, Charles McLillan, Benjamin Crittenden, Nicholas 
Foley, William Wallace, Manuel Rogers, George L. Dresser, Alex. 



32 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Terry. Owned by Pettingill & Cunningham. Valued at S3, 600 ; 
insured for $3,150. 

Schooner GORHAM BABSON, nine men : Daniel McPliee, Mas- 
ter ; James Greenleaf, William Swin, Thomas Spring, John Murphy, 
Angus Sutherland, Daniel Ready, Archibald McDonald, Elijah Dem- 
ings. Owned by- H. C. Knapp & Co. Valued at $7,000 ; insured 
for $5,500. 

Schooner KOSSUTH was lost in the Newfoundland fishery, at 
Owl's Harbor, Halifax, Feb. 15th. Crew saved. Owned by H. C. 
Knapp & Co. Vessel and cargo valued at $12,000 ; mostly insured. 

Schooner FEARLESS, in the Newfoundland fishery, lost on Miq- 
uelon Island. Crew saved. Owned by Robert Fears. Valued at 
$5,500 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner FLEETWING was lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, on 
the 20th of August. Crew saved. Owned b}' Capt. Peter Sinclair 
and Capt. James Ayer. Valued at $6,500 ; insured for $4,500. 

Schooner OROZIMBO, went ashore at Chetticamp, on the 18th of 
October, and became a total loss. Crew saved. Owned by Benja- 
min Haskell. Valued at $8,000 ; insured for $4,000. 

Schooner TRIUMPH, Capt. Campbell ; was run down and sunk 
on her passage to New York, March 17th, by steamer Western Me- 
tropolis. The captain and three of her crew were saved by a boat 
from the steamer, but two of the crew, John Miller, of Kitter}^, Me., 
and LiGHTHiLL Pearce, of Bristol, Me., were drowned. Owned by 
John Low, Jr. Valued at $9,000 ; insured for $2,000 ; cargo valued 
at $12,000, and insured for $2,000. 

John Devine, lost overboard and drowned on Georges, in Feb- 
ruary, while furling jib. Body recovered and brought home. 

Herman Lane, of schooner Sea Foam, son of Theodore Lane, was 
knocked overboard and drowned oflf Block Island, in June. 

Francis Augustus, a Frenchman, was lost overboard from schoon- 
er Emma Parsons, off Neman's Land, in June. 

Ira Stinson, of Deer Isle, Me., was waslied overboard and drowned 
on Georges, March 23d, from schooner Ellen Frances. 

WiLLiAJi Grant was lost overboard and drowned in the Bay of 
St. Lawrence, in June. 

Joseph O'Brien, of schooner Joseph Story, was washed overboard 
and drowned off Cape Sable, April 23d, while returning from West- 
ern Bank. 

Warren Richardson was lost overboard and drowned on Georges, 
March 29th. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 33 

William Fisher, son of Jacob F. Fisher, lost overboard from 
schooner Boston Light, on passage to Boston, April 26th. 

1865. 

There were eleven lives and eight vessels lost this year, as follows : 
two vessels in the porgie oil business, two trading vessels, one in 
the Bay of St. Lawrence fishery, one in the Newfoundland trade, 
one Western Banker, and one in the Prince Edward Island trade. 

Schooner J. L. GERRITY, Knapp, Master ; was wrecked on Stir- 
rup Key, in April, while on her passage to New Orleans, with a cargo 
of mackerel. Crew saved. Owned by II. C. Knapp. Valued at 
$6,500 ; insured for $6,000. 

Schooner NORTHERN CHIEF was run down and sunk by the 
English steamer Bosphorus, off Cape Sable, May 31st, while on her 
return from Western Bank. She had a crew of eleven men, five of 
whom were in the cabin, and rushing on deck, succeeded in scram- 
bling up the rigging and getting on board the steamer, just as the 
schooner was going down. The other six were drowned, viz. : Wins- 
low R. Hopkins, of Vinalhaven, Me., Master; John Lindsey, James 
Colby, Peter Welch, William Parkhurst, John Kent. The disaster 
was attributed to carelessness on the part of those keeping watch 
on board the steamer. Owned by John Low & Son. Valued at 
$9,000 ; insured for $6,000. 

Schooner SWAN, of Annisquam, porgie oil business, was lost 
near Madison Point, Conn., July 20th. Crew saved. Owned by 
George Butler and Epes Davis, Jr. Valued at $1,800 ; insured for 
$1,400. 

Schooner EDWIN, loaded with bricks and lumber, sank on the 
night of July 31st, about ten miles N. E. of the Isle of Shoals. Crew 
saved. Owned by William P. Dolliver. Valued at $1,500 ; insured 
for $1,000. 

Schooner SEA FAN, in the porgie oil business, was lost on York 
Ledges, October 14th. Crew saved. Owned by Wm. P. Dolliver 
and Addison Procter. Valued with her outfits at $2,500 ; insured for 
$2,000. 

Schooner ST. LAWRENCE, engaged in the Bay mackerel fishery, 
was lost near Ragged Island, on her passage home, early in Novem- 
ber. Crew saved. Owned by George Brown. Valued at $3,500 ; 
insured for $3,€00. 

Schooner MINERVA was lost near Pictou, N. S., on the 24th of 
November, while on her homeward passage from Prince Edward 



34 fisheejvien's memorial and record book. 

Island, with a load of produce. Crew saved. Owned by C. C. Pet- 
tingill and Capt. Robert Allen. Valued at $3,500 ; insured for 
$3,000. 

Schooner COL. ALLEN was lost near Louisburg Harbor, C. B., 
December 10th, while on her passage to Newfoundland. Crew saved. 
Owned by Daniel Sayward. Valued at 812,000 ; insured for $10,000. 

Chkistopher Ckouse, a native of Liverpool, N. S., was lost over- 
board from schooner Carrie E. Crouse, on the passage from New- 
foundland, February 3d. 

Horatio Bartlett, of Camden, Me., one of the crew of schooner 
William Babsouf was washed overboard on Georges, April 30th, and 
drowned. 

Capt. John McLellan, master of schooner Sabine, was lost over- 
board Qu Georges, while at the Avheel, February 12th. 

Angus E. Gillis and ThoiMAS E. Ladd, two of the crew of schooner 
Prince of Wales, were lost overboard and drowned, May 17th, while 
on the passage from Surinam. 

1866. 

Twenty-six lives and fifteen vessels were lost this year, as follows : 
three vessels in the Georges fishery, three in the Bay of St. Law- 
rence, three in the shore, two in the Newfoundland, and four in the 
freighting business. 

Schooner JAMES SEWARD, lost off Rockland, Me., November 
14th, while on her passage home from the Bay. Crew saved. Owned 
by David Parkhurst. Valued with her cargo at $8,000 ; insured for 
$6,820. 

Boat MARY, sank while coming from Boston, May 1st. Crew 
saved. Owned by John Clark, 3d, Valued at $700 ; no insurance. 

Schooner CLARION, lost off Newport, R. I., in May. Crew 
saved. Owned by Addison Procter, and others. Valued at $2,550 ; 
insured for $2,250. 

Schooner BOXER sprung aleak and sank off Eastern Point, on 
the night of Nov. 17th. Crew saved. Valued at $800 ; insured for 



Schooner DWIGHT, in the freighting business, lost near Key 
West, in January. Crew saved. Owned by Capt. Oliver G. Lane, 
Annisquam. Valued at $11,000 ; insured for $9,000. 

Schooner CARRIE E. CROUSE, lost on the passage to Balti- 
more, in February, with her crew of six men, as follows : William 
L. Crouse, Master ; George Gerring, Hugh McLain, Wm. Howlett, 



fisheemen's memorial and record book. 35 

Johu McLain, Robert Swallow. Owned by John Perkius & Co. 
Valued at $1 2,000 ; insured for ^10,000. 

Schooner D. L. STURGIS was disabled while on her passage to 
Rochelle, and put into Bermuda, where she was condemned. Owned 
by Francis W. Homans, and others. Valued at ^11,000 ; insured for 
$9,000. 

Schooner GEORGE J. MARSH was lost off Magdalene Islands, 
in September, while on the passage from Ivitgut, Greenland. Crew 
saved. Owned by Capt. Samuel Irwin, George J. Marsh, and others. 
Valued at 831,000 ; insured for $14,000. 

Schooner M. C. ROWE, lost in January, while on the passage 
from Newfoundland. Crew saved. Owned by David Low & Co. 
Valued at $10,500 ; insured for $8,000. 

Schooner GEN. SHERIDAN, lost off Cape Canso, January 14th, 
on the passage home from Newfoundland. Four of the crew were 
lost, viz. : James Pringle, Robert Dahl, George Howard, Thomas 
Harris. Owned by Walen & Co. Valued at $12,000 ; insured for 
$10,000. 

Schooner ARCTURUS, in the Georges fishery, struck on L'Hom- 
madieu Shoal, May 3d, and was sunk. Crew saved. She was aban- 
doned to the underwriters, and subsequently raised and sold. Owned 
by James Mansfield & Co. and Capt. Eben Davis. Valued at $2,400 ; 
insured for $2,250. 

Schooner SARAH sprung aleak and sank on Georges, July 16th. 
Crew saved. Owned by William II. Oakes and George H. Smith. 
Valued at $2,800 ; insured for $1,700. 

Schooner CLARA DAVIS, lost on Georges in the gale of October 
18th, with all her crew of eight men, viz. : Matthew Caig, Master ; 
George Zwicker, Edward Marshall, Richard Troy, Charles Lunt, 
John Wade, Peter Burke, Joseph Silva. Owned by James Mans- 
field & Sons. Valued at $3,000 ; insured for $2,675. 

Schooner MARTHA & ELIZA was run down and sunk by schooner 
Northerner, on the 30th of August, near Magdalene Islands. Crew 
saved. Owned by Joseph O. Procter. Valued at $4,200 ; insured 
for $3,675. 

Schooner ARCOLA, drove ashore at Port Hood, on the 4th of 
October, and became a total loss. Crew saved. Owned by Gusta- 
vus Griffin & Son, of Annisquam. Valued at $2,300 ; insured for 
$2,025. 

Four men were lost from the wreck of schooner Maggie McLane, 
which was being towed in by the schooner Lady Franklin, on the 



36 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

night of March 20th, Their names were John Thus, of Norway ; 
MuRDocK FiNLATsoN, of Guysboro', N. S. ; Rhoderick McDonald, 
of Straits of Canso ; Andrew Perkins, of York, Me. 

Daniel Fardy was lost overboard from schooner Arizona, bound 
for Georges, on the night of September 21st. 

Lewis A. McDonald was lost overboard from schooner E. E. 
Nickerson, on the 20th of August, off Magdalene Islands. 

William Miller, of Lanesville, was lost overboard from schooner 
Emporia, Aug. 27th. 

William Davis was lost overboard from schooner Carrie S. Dagle, 
January 10th, on her passage from Newfoundland. 

1867. 

There were sixty-six lives and eleven vessels lost this year, as 
follows : three on Georges, one in the Newfoundland trade, three in 
the Bay of St. Lawrence, two in the shore fishery, and two freighters. 

Schooner JOHN W. LOWE, probably lost in the gale of January 
17th, while on the passage from Newfoundland. Crew of nine men, 
viz. : Manly Grimes, Master ; Gustave Witer, Raymond White, 
George H. Griffin, James Hauler, Oliver Norton, Augustus Dagle, 
Henry Kappin, Neal McKinnon. Owned by John Low, Jr., & Son. 
Valued with cargo, at $15,000 ; insured for $12,000. 

Schooner FRANK HERBERT, lost on Georges, in August. Crew 
of eight men, viz. : Patrick Flaherty, Master ; Hugli McDonnougB, 
Michael McDonnough, James King, Thomas Mullen, Michael 
Flaherty, Martin Foley, Mark McLaughlin. Owned by Hugh 
McDonnough and Samuel Lane & Bro. Valued at $4,500 ; insured 
for $2,200. 

Schooner SUNNY SIDE, lost on Georges, same month. Crew 
of nine men, viz. : John Grant, Master ; Henry Beckman, John 
Myers, Peter Frederickson, Peter Peterson, Hans Anderson, Alex- 
ander Colson, William Wilson, James Kirby. Owned by Walen & 
Co. Valued at $7,000 ; insured for $5,500. 

Schooner ONWARD had a narrow escape on Georges in the gale 
of August 2d. She was boarded by a heavy sea, which swept away 
bowsprit, masts, bulwarks, &c., making a complete wreck of the 
vessel above her deck. Fortunately no lives were lost. Owned by 
Wm. Parsons, 2d, & Co. Abandoned to the underwriters and sold at 
auction for $1,000. Valued at $3,500 ; insured for $3,062. 

Schooner FASHION, lost in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in the 
September gale. Crew of thirteen men, viz. : John Peterson, Master ; 



FISHERMEN S MEMOKIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 37 

Parker Moodj;-, John Williams, James Montgomery, John Cadeel, 
Antoue Prater, Frank Prater, Antone Silva, Allen O'Brien, Thomas 
Thomas, and three others, names unknown. Owned by Samuel 
Haskell. Valued at $4,500 ; insured for $3,557. 

Schooner WATER SPIRIT went ashore at Chetticamp, in the gale 
of September 30th. Crew saved. Abandoned to the underwriters. 
Owned by George Garland. Valued at $9,075 ; insured for $7,525. 

Schooner LADY FRANKLIN went ashore in the same gale, at 
Malpec. Abandoned to the underwriters. Owned by William Par- 
sons, 2d, & Co. Valued at $o,G00 ; insured for $4,900. 

Schooner STAR OF THE EAST, in the shore mackerel fishery, 
sank on a ledge off Wood Island, September 29th. Crew saved. 
Owned by Capt. Charles M. Curtis and Joseph Friend & Co. Valued 
at $9,000 ; insured for $7,525. 

Schooner WATER WITCH, in the seining business, lost off Ma- 
tinicus Island, Me., Aug. 3d. Crew saved. Owned by Capt. Addi- 
son Wonson, and others. Valued at $2,000 ; no insurance. 

Schooner COL. ORNE was run down and sunk while pn her home- 
ward passage from New York, May 14th. Crew saved. Owned bj' 
Capt. Samuel Elwell, Jr. Valued at $2,500 ; insured for $1,800. 

Schooner JENNIE TYLER, lost in August, on her passage from 
Para to New Y'ork. Eight men, viz. : Solomon Frellick, Master ; 
E. King Coas, mate ; David Smith, Henry Robinson, Louis Dyer, 
James Hamilton, and two Swedes, names unknown. Owned by 
William Parsons, 2d, & Co., and others. Valued at $20,000 ; in- 
sured for $11,000. 

Isaac Baker, of Manchester, was drowned from schooner Belle 
Brandon, May 12th, while lying in Newport Harbor. 

William Blair, one of the crew of schooner Theron J. Dale, was 
lost overboard on the passage to Demarara, on the 30th of April. 

Michael Malchy, mate of schooner Rattler, was lost overboard 
in the gale of January 17th, while on the passage from Newfound- 
land. 

James F. Southerland, mate of schooner Setagawa, and John 
Tufts, mate of schooner George O. Ilovey, were drowned on the 
homeward passage from Newfoundland. 

Daniel Burnham was lost overboard from schooner Arequipa, on 
the 23d of November, while on the passage to Newfoundland. 

Samuel Roberts was lost overboard on Georges from schooner 
Lookout; George Sceales, from the Samuel Wonson; J. A. 



38 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Haverneu, from the Northerner ; James McDonald, from the Bar- 
bara Frietchie, on her homeward passage from "Western Bank. 

Edward Mitchell, Thomas Herring, Matthew Silver, and 
Albert Bigelow, were lost overboard, on the 2d of June, from 
schooner Hattie M. Lj-ons ; William L. Nickerson, and Lewis 
DoANE, from schooner J. O. Nickerson, on the 1st of June. These 
crews were in the Grand Bank fishery. 

Henry Sinott was lost overboard from schooner Roger Williams, 
October 23d, while on the homeward passage from the Bay of St. 
Lawrence. 

Bradford Thomas, lost from schooner C. C. Pettingill, in the gale 
of September 30th. 

Capt. Alexander Benson, of schooner Montrose, died quite sud- 
denly on the 24th of October, of hemorrhage, while engaged in fishing 
on Georges. 

1868. 

There were thirt3^-nine men and four vessels lost this year, as 
follows : two in the Bank fisher}^, one on Georges, and one freighter. 

Schooner IDAHO, was probably lost in January ; she was engaged 
in the Grand Bank fishery, and had a crew of eight men, as follows : 
Samuel F. Wennerberg, Master ; Charles Anderson, Charles Benson, 
John Rutledge, Thomas Dunn, John Parker, Henry Ruthennan, 
Charles Hayden. Owned by George Garland. Valued at §9,000 ; 
insured for $7,000. 

Schooner GENERAL BUTLER was lost in the Georges fishery, 
in June. Supposed to have been run down. Had a crew of ten men, 
as follows : Sereno W. Campbell, Master ; Frank Brown, James 
Sherman, David Lane, Jr., Edward Duncan, Joseph Hobbs, Wait- 
sell Nickerson, George Oram, and two others, names unknown. 
Owned by D. C. & H. Babson, Jr. Valued at $6,000 ; insured for 
$5,250. 

Schooner JAMES S. AYER was lost in December, in the Grand 
Bank fishery. Had twelve men, viz. : John R. McDonald, Master ; 
Colin McDonald (brother of master), Murdock McDonald, Stephen 
McDonald, Philip Riley, Whitfield Spinney, John W. Brown, Daniel 
Kennedy, Michael McCormick, Angus McPhee, Daniel Mclntire, J. 
E. O&ier. Owned by Dennis & Ayer. Valued at $8,000 ; insured 
for $6,900. 

Schooner LIZZIE F. CHOATE, in the freighting business, lost in 
the gulf stream, Feb. 7th, while on the passage from New York to 
Antigua, Three of her men were lost, viz. : David Gaflfney, Master ; 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 39 

Henry Gaffney (brother of the master), Benjamin Marston. The 
remainder of the crew, Reuben McKenney, Hugh McKinnon, Charles 
Nelson, remained on the wreck five days, when they were taken off 
by the British brig J. S. Wright. Owned by Waleu & Co. Valued 
at $12,000 ; insured for $9,000. 

Frank Campbell was lost overboard from schoouer Franklin Snow, 
on the 21st of February, while furling the jib. 

David Hinckley, of Cape Breton, was lost overboard from schooner 
Isaac Somes, on the 27th of April, while reefing the mainsail. 

Chakles Deitrich, of Newburyport, and James Leart, of Rock- 
port, were lost from schooner Abby Dodge, in May, while visiting 
their trawl. 

Thomas Earlt;; was lost overboard from schooner Farragut, Feb. 
14th, shortly after leaving port, bound for Georges. He was a 
native of Gosport, England. 

Martin Henderson, of Beverly, was lost overboard from schooner 
Rambler, April 15th, while reefing mainsail. 

Charles Foster of Guysboro', N. S., was lost from schooner 
Florence Reed, Nov. 10th, while on the passage from the Bay. 

18G9. 

Sixty-six lives and sixteen vessels were lost this year, as follows : 
five in the Georges fishery, two in the Bank fishery, four in the shore 
mackereling, three freighters, one in the oyster business, and one 
pilot boat. 

Schooner AUGUSTUS E. PRICE was lost on Georges in the gale 
of March 6th. Crew of eleven men, viz. : Barnabas Horton, Master ; 
Henry Williams, Charles Hicks, William Kellej^," Isaac Austin, John 
W. Rowe, Thomas Cameron, Levi W. Cole, Charles Swim, Frank 
Hedman, Freeman Goodwin. Owned by McKenzie, Knowlton & 
Co. Valued at $9,000 ; insured for $7,000. 

Schooner MARTHA A. PORTER was lost in the same gale, with 
nine men, viz. : Joseph O. Shackelford, Master ; Henry F. Wonson, 
James Cam, William J. Ripley, George Campion, Robert Johnson, 
Charles Cunningham, Richard Morris, John Crockett. Owned by 
Clark & Somes. Valued at $5,600 ; insured for $4,762. 

Schooner ABIGAIL C. WOODBURY, lost in the gale of March 
7th. Crew of eleven men, viz. : Edward Welch, Master ; James 
Ryan, James Mannering, Joseph Francis, Matthew Murray, Michael 
Finley, Mark Lyons, Michael Carroll, Charles Campbell, Archibald 
Campbell, and one man, name unknown. Owned bj' D. C. & H. 
Babson, Jr. Valued at $9,600 ; insured for $7,000. 



40 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Schoouer A. R. ANDREWS, lost in the same gale. Crew saved. 
Owned by Charles Parkhurst. Valued at 63,400 ; insured for $2,975. 

Schooner IZAAK WALTON came into collision with schooner 
William Babson, while returning from Georges, Sept. 2Gth, and sank 
shortly afterward. Crew saved. Owned by D. C. & H. Babson, Jr. 
Valued at $5,500 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner FOREST BELLE was lost in the Grand Bank fishery, 
probably early in January. She was a new vessel and on her first 
trip. Had a crew of twelve men, viz. : Moses M. Welch, Master ; 
Robert M. Collins, Daniel Lufkin, Randall McLellen, Arthur Ulmer, 
Sylvanns Gott, George Bartlett, George Kane, John A. Kelley, James 
McDonald, William Hickman, William B. Rowe. Owned by Rowe 
& Jordan. Valued at $10,300 ; insured for $5,000. 

Schooner ABBY H. SWASEY was lost on Half Moon Beach, off 
Cape Negro, July 12th, on her homeward trip from the Grand Banks. 
Crew saved. Owned by George Dennis & Co. Valued at $6,000 ; 
insured for $4,500. 

Schooner POTOMAC, in the mackerel fishery, went ashore at Orr's 
Island, Me., Sept. 8th, and was a total loss. Crew saved. Owned 
b}^ Brown Brothers. Valued at $2,500 ; insured for $1,950. 

Schooner ALABAMA, in the mackerel fisher}'^, went ashore at 
Kennebunk in the same gale, and proved a total loss. Crew saved. 
Owned by George Dennis & Co. Vahied at $2,000 ; insured for 
$1,350. 

Schooner ANDES Avas totally wrecked at Boothbay, Me., in the 
same gale. Crew saved. Owned by Joseph Andrews & Son, Laues- 
villc. Valued at $500 ; no insurance. 

Boat RAMBLER was lost oflf Portland at the same time. Owned 
by Joseph Andrews & Son. Valued at $250 ; no insurance. 

Schooner THERON J. DALE, in the freighting business, lost at 
Baracoa, April 24th. Crew saved. Owned by Capt. Jesse Lewis. 
Valued at $10,000 ; insured for $7,500. 

Schooner A. D. RICE, in the oyster business, lost in March, Alex- 
ander MpLane, of East Boston, Master. Crew of five men, names 
unknown. Owned by Gustavus Griffin & Son, of Annisquam. 
Valued at $9,000 ; insured for $5,000. 

Schooner CHARLES A. STETSON went ashore on the bar at 
Indian River, March 22d, and proved a total loss. Owned by Capt. 
Abraham Babson. Crew saved. Valued at $5,000 ; no insurance. 

Schooner TWILIGHT, sunk oflT Beaver Island, January 29th, while 
on her passage home from Guysboro', N. S., with a carfjo of frozen 



fishermen's siemoeial and eecoed book. 41 

eels. Crew saved. Owned by George Garland. It was subsequently 
ascertained that the vessel was scuttled by the captain. Valued at 
$4,000 ; insured for'$3,000. 

Pilot boat YOUNG RAVEN was driven ashore on Pavilion Beach, 
in this harbor, in the gale of Sept. 8th, and became a total loss. 
Owned by David H. Ellery and Robert Callahan. Valued at $800 ; 
insured for $600. 

Capt. Joseph Martin was lost overboard from schooner Emporia, 
in the gale of Sept. 8th. 

George Bowden was lost overboard from schooner Belvidere, 
October 10th. 

Samuel Swainson was lost overboard from schooner Sabine, 
March 2d. 

Manuel Rogers was lost overboard from Schooner Marion Grimes, 
March 6 th. 

"William Gardner, of Southport, Me., was lost overboard from 
schooner Sophronia, February 28th. 

John Smith was lost overboard from Schooner Henry Ellsworth, 
March 7th. 

Sajutjel Smith was lost overboard fron schooner Veteran, 
March 7th. 

John Welch and Anthony White were lost overboard from 
schooner Mary Anna, October 2d. 

Philip Perriway was lost overboard June 27th, from schooner 
Enola C, while returning from the Grand Banks. 

John McQuarrie and Finley McMillen, of schooner Harvey C. 
Mackay, were lost Feb. 23d, while visiting their trawls. 

Capt. John B. Woodbury, of schooner James A. Stetson, and 
Robert Stamps, one of the crew, were lost April 23d, in a similar 
manner. 

T. Frank Winchenbauch and Sylvester Riley were lost from 
schooner Glenwood, April 22d. 

Martin Donaltry was lost overboard from schooner Catalina, in 
the shore mackerel fishery, in June. 

1870. 

Thirteen vessels and ninety-seven lives were lost this year, as fol- 
lows : four vessels on Georges, two in the Bank fisheiy, two in the 
Bay of St. Lawrence, one in the shore mackerel fishery, two in the 
herring fishery, and two in the coasting business. 

Schooner POCUMTUCK, engaged in the Western Bank fishery, 



42 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

was run ashore near Ship Harbor, N. S. Condemned and sold, the 
master pocketing the receipts. Owned by Capt. Sargent S. Day. 
Valued at $3,000 ; insured for $2,652. 

Schooner GEORGE R. BRADFORD was lost in February, on the 
homeward passage from Newfoundland. Crew of six men, viz. : John 
Wolfe, Master; Thomas Tobin, John Herring, Alexander Grant, 
Samuel Steele, William Appleton. Owned b}' Leighton & Co. Val- 
ued at $7,500 ; insured for $6,500. 

Schooner BELLE BRANDON was wrecked on Long Island, near 
Mount Desert, Me., while on the passage to Grand Menan, N. B. 
Crew saved. Owned by Capt. Wm. H. Mackaj'. Valued at $3,800 ; 
insured for $3,325. 

Schooner DAY STAR, in the shore mackerel fishery, was lost in the 
gale of September 18th, with her crew of twelve men, viz. : Simon 
McKie, Master ; James R. Clarke, Charles Thompson, John McDon- 
ald, Harraden Reed, Andrew Ryan, Frank Anderson, Francisco Con- 
stanta Scurpa, Francisco Joseph, William Thompson, Thomas Pow- 
er, and a boy whose name is unknown. Owned by James Mans- 
field & Sons. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $2,750. 

Schooner DAUNTLESS was lost on her passage to the Bay of 
St. Lawrence, in September, witli her crew of twelve men, viz. : Jas. 
G. Craig, Master ; John La Pierre, Martin Costcllo, John Todd, Jr., 
George Todd, Daniel Herrick, Edward Smith, James Smith, James 
Welch, George Goodwin, and two others, names unknown. Owned 
by Sidney Friend & Bro. Valued at $8,000 ; insured for $7,000. 

Boat EQUITY, in the mackerel fishery, was wrecked at Spectacle 
Island, October 25th. Crew saved. Owned b}^ Capt. Abraham Bab- 
son. Valued at $400 ; insured for $362. 

Schooner WEATHER GAGE was lost on Georges, January 25th, 
with a crew of ten men, viz. : Mark Sweenej', Master ; Abraham 
Bushy, Stephen Chisholm, William Powers, John Pitman, John 
McKenzie, Archie McNeil, Archibald McAlliston, Neil Macauley, 
John A. McKenzie. Owned by Maddocks & Co. Valued at $5,000 ; 
insured for $4,375. 

Schooner AUSTERLITZ was boarded by a heavy sea in the gale 
of March 13th, which left her in a sinking condition. Crew taken 
off by schooner Rivcrdale. Owned by McKenzie & Knowlton. Val- 
ued at $3,700 ; insured for $3,275. 

Schooner WILLIAM F, POOL, lost on Georges, in March, with 
her crew of ten men, viz. : James Lunderkin, Master ; William Troy, 
Henry Raymond, John Sullivan, James McLaughlin, Henry Peterson, 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 43 

Alexander McDonald, Peter "Vaughn, and two others, names unknown. 
Owned by Sidney Friend & Bro. Valued at $9,000 ; insured for 
$7,913. 

Schooner ALATAMAHA, lost on Georges, in^ October, with her 
crew of ten men, viz. : "William Brown, Master ; Henry Grier, Jas. 
Revilee, Benjamin Powers, "William Geyer, Antone Norbury, Charles 
Terry, Charles Hamlin, and two others, names unknown. Owned by 
Capt. "William Brown, and others. Valued at $6,000 ; insured for 
$4,930. 

Schooner VIKING was lost in January, on her way to the Grand 
Banks. Had a crew of eleven men, viz. : "William I. Rogers, Master ; 
Edward Callahan, Patrick Frazier, Larry Frazier, August Frazier, 
Henry Hartford, "William Parker, John E. Reed, Lemuel S. Rogers, 
Dennis Sullivan, John Burke. Owned by Lemuel Friend & Co. 
Valued at $7,800 ; insured for $6,825. 

Schooner NOR'"WESTER, of this port, sailed from New York for 
Para, in October, 1869, and was never heard from again. Command- 
ed by Capt. John S. Foster, of this town, and had a crew of five 
men, shipped in New York, whose names are unknown. Owned by 
John Pew & Son. Valued at $9,000 ; insured for $3,500. 

Schooner JULIA PARSONS, Capt. Sturgis Center, was abandoned 
at sea, November 20th, while on her passage from Surinam. Crew 
saved. Owned by Frank "W. Homans. Valued at $8,000 ; insured 
for $6,500. 

The following persons were lost in the Georges fishery during the 
year: 

Antone Ends was lost overboard from schooner Peerless, Febru- 
ary 24th. 

Alvin Nickerson was lost overboard from schooner Rival, 
March 9th. 

Matthew Graci A was lost overboard from schooner Eastern Queen, 
March 18th. 

Frank Frazier was lost overboard from schooner Bridget Ann, 
March 19th. 

Taylor J. V. Allen was lost overboard from schooner Highflyer, 
September 10th. 

"William R. Hardy and Christian Cass were lost overboard from 
schooner Banvard, September 4th. 

One of the crew of the Elisha Holmes, whose name is unknown, 
was lost overboard March 23d, while the vessel was leaving the 
harbor. 



44 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

John Carlisle, of schooner Peter D. Smith, died on Georges, May 
4th, of heart disease. 

The following is a list of those lost on the Banks : 

Joseph "Ward ayd Francis Lee, of schooner John S. Tyler, were 
lost while visiting their trawls. May 15th. 

Simeon Clifford and William Bryant, of schooner Etta Gott, 
were lost in the same manner, in May. 

James Scanlan and J. H. Ames, of schooner Mary G. Dennis, 
were upset in their dory and drowned while visiting their trawls, Oct. 
12th. 

Albert Faulk wab lost overboard from schooner M. L. Wetherell, 
in October. 

Michael Nolan was lost overboard from schooner George O. 
Hove}', October 18th. 

Martin Qdiglt and John Kelly were run down in a fishing boat 
and drowned, off Eastern Point, May 2Gth. 

John Rake was lost overboard from schooner "Wildfire, October 
19th. 

1871. 

This was another terrible disastrous year to the fisheries, one hun- 
dred and forty lives and nineteen vessels being lost, and with the 
exception of 1862, it resulted in the greatest sacrifice of life and 
property since the commencement of the business. Of the vessels, 
ten were lost on Georges, four in the Bank fisher^', two in the shore 
fishery, one each in the herring fishery, Greenland halibut fishery, and 
freighting business. 

Schooner riIA"WATHA was lost on Georges, in February, with 
ten men, viz. : Byron Murphy, Master ; John Glenn, "William F. 
Powers, John McGrath, John Callahan, Michael Furlong, Martin 
Cowrey, James Goodwin, Stephen Green, Edward McRac. Owned 
by D. C. & Horatio Babson. Valued at $7,800 ; insured for 66,825. 

Schooner E. L. COOK was probably lost in the same gale with 
eleven men, viz. : Samuel H. Killham, Master ; William II. Killham, 
John Cole, Lucius H. Cavis, Aaron Baker, Angus McLeod, Martin 
Bakeman, Frank C. "Welch, George Hall, Joseph Francis, Elisha 
Eoberts. Owned by Perkins Brothers. Valued at 6,900 ; insured 
for $6,038. 

Schooner A. F. LINDBERG was lost in the gale of April 2d, with 
eleven men, viz. : Charles Boyson, Master ; George "Williams, Peter 
S. Miller, Henry Tweedy, Charles Simpson, Frederick Ilandman, John 
Swinson, Alexander Ruden, Andrew Henderson, Andrew Christenton, 



fishermen's IIEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 45 

Andrew Peterson. Owned by Daniel Sayward. Valued at $7,000 ; 
insured for 86,125. 

Schooner SEAMAN'S PRIDE was lost April 2d, with ten men, 
viz. : William H. Thurston, Master ; Joseph K. Balcira, Charles 
Joseph, John Graves, Charles Anderson, Alvah "W. Turner, James 
Hanlon, Joshua Allen, Elbridge Goodwin, Gerthro Goodwin. Owned 
by Daniel Sayward. Valued at $4,000 ; insured for $2,625. 

Schooner WILLIAM MURRAY was lost April 2d, with eleven men, 
viz.: Ezekiel S. Call, Master; Frank E. Call (son of the Master), 
Richard Carroll, Edward Hillier, Tliomas Hasey, James Shehan, 
Mark Bray, William O'Brien, Samuel Stanley, Edward B, Curl, Alex- 
ander McConnell. Owned by Tarr Bros. Valued at $5,800 ; insured 
for $5,075. 

Schooner B. K. HOUGH was lost April 2d, with ten men, viz. : 
Daniel Hillier, Master ; Rufus Crosby, Alexander Carter, Michael 
McGraw, William Hopkins, Patrick Gray, John Swinson, Dennis 
Jewett, George Russell, John Merton. Owned by John Pew & Son. 
Valued at $4,800 ; insured for $4,200. 

Schooner SACHEM sank on Georges, in September. Crew saved. 
Owned by Capt. Martin Nelson. Valued at $600 ; insured for $525. 

Schooner MONTROSE was lost September 2d, with eight men, 
viz.: Alonzo Alley, Master; William Peterson, H. Steward, Alden 
Harris, Andrew Johnson, Charles Peterson, and two others, names 
unknown. Owned by Epes Sayward, Jr. Valued at $2,500 ; insured 
for $2,100. 

Schooner EMPORIA was lost Sept. 2d, with nine men, viz. : Pat- 
rick Box, Master ; Martin Whalen, Thomas Christopher, Michael 
Morrissey, Louis Turtua, Benjamin Hand, John Hand, John Powers, 
Charles Frazier. Owned by Joseph 0. Procter. Valued at $4,700 ; 
insured for $4,150. 

Schooner FITZ E. RIGGS was lost October 12th, with nine men, 
viz. : Laban E. Hiland, Master; Thomas Leary, Michael Fitzgerald, 
Alexander McKenzie, Robert Christopher, Charles Anson, John 
Welsh, Patrick Flynn, Thomas Foley. Owned by Maddocks & Co. 
S^alued at $3,800 ; insured for $3,325. 

The following persons were lost overboard from the Georges fleet 
during the year : — 

John Tucker was lost overboard from schooner J. J. Burns, Feb- 
ruary 11th. 

George Rackham was lost overboard from Schooner Rebecca 
Bartlett, Feb. 25th. 



46 fishermen's memorial and recokd book. 

William McGuire was lost overboard from schooner "William H. 
Thurston, March 24th. 

James Hunt was lost overboard from schooner Amos Cutter, 
April 2d. 

John J. Collins was lost overboard from schooner George 0. 
Hovey, April 2d. 

James Manning was lost overboard from schooner Adelia Hart- 
well, April 2d. 

Schooner EXCHANGE, lost at Cow Bay, in August, while on a 
ti'ip to the Western Bank. Crew saved. Owned by Walen & Allen. 
Valued at $1,300 ; insured with outfit for $1,138. 

Schooner LIZZIE A. TARR, lost off Manitau, on the Labrador 
shore, October 15th. Crew saved. Owned b}' William C. Wonson. 
Valued at $7,300 ; insured with outfit for $6,800. 

Schooner ELSINEUR, engaged in mackerel fishing in the Bay of 
St. Lawrence, went ashore at Argyle, in September, but was got off 
and afterwards burned on her passage home. Owned by Solomon 
Poole. Crew saved. Valued at $1,700 ; insured for $1,487. 

Schooner RIVER QUEEN was lost with twelve men, while return- 
ing from a Greenland halibut trip, viz. : George Robinson, Master ; 
Albeit P. Gove, John Evcrson, Mark Shears, James Leavenson, 
Charles Brien, William McKenzie, and five others shipped at Halifax, 
names unknown. Owned by Rowe & Jordan. Valued at $7,900 ; 
insured for $6,912. 

Schooner SAMUEL E. SAWYER was lost April 21st, while on 
a herring voyage to the Magdalene Islands. Crew saved. Owned 
by Capt. James Gushing. Valued at $6,760 ; insured for $5,915. 

Schooner OCEAN BRIDE, lost off Brace's Cove, Feb. 8th. Crew 
saved. Owned by John and Jesse McCloud. Valued at $1,800 ; in- 
sured for $1,500. 

Boat ONWARD, of Lanesville, was burned on a shore fishing trip. 
Crew saved. Valued at $200 ; uninsured. 

Schooner ARAB, in the freighting business, was lost off Cape Cod, 
in April. Crew saved. Owned bj^Dodd, Tarr «&; Co. Valued at $700 ; 
insured for $550, with an additional insurance of $1,000, on cargo. 

Schooner TWO-FORTY, lost in January, while on her homeward 
passage from the Grand Banks. Crew saved. Owned by Walen & 
Allen. Valued at $5,000 ; insured for $4,200. 

Schooner EDITH WONSON, lost on Western Bank, January 9th, 
with twelve men, viz. : Thomas Harvey, Master ; Chax'les Forbes, 
Henry Walton, John F. Bennett, Robert Fardy, Llewellyn Walsh, 



fishermen's memoeial and record book. 47 

Henry Leslie, James Ham, Frederic Newell, John Smith, William 
Atkins, William Hilerdsch. Owned by William C. Wonson. Val- 
ued at $8,500 ; insured with outfit for S7,763. 

The following persons were lost in the Bank fisheries, most of them 
while visiting their trawls : 

John Peterson was lost overboard from schooner Tivano, in Jan- 
uary ; Capt. John Powers, from the Yo Semite, in January ; Capt. 
Wm. Jeffrey and John Phalen, from the Henry A. Johnson, in 
Janiiar3' ; Stephen Nelson and Charles Anderson, from the Mary 
Carlisle, March 25th, and Laers Peterson from the same vessel in 
November ; George Searle and Nicholas Wilson, from the B. F. 
Somes, in May ; Michael Key and Thomas McKay, from the M. L. 
Wetherell, in May ; Finley McFadden, from the same in November ; 
Henry Beaton and John Stewart, from the Laura A. Burnham, 
in May ; Reuben Mayo, from the Alaska, in May ; Thomas Hamilton, 
from the George H. Pierson, Dec. 5th. 

Patrick McGinnis and Jasper Quinn in the Bay of St. Lawrence, 
from schooner Glenwood, in July. 

Eddie Wharf, son of Capt. Eiiphalet Wharf, was lost from schooner 
Sarah C. Wharf, in the Bay of St. Lawrence, in September. 

Joseph Plaimenta, was lost from schooner E. L. Rowe, off Dennis- 
port, June 5th, 

John Logde was drowned in the cabin of the Angle S. Friend, 
which was capsized in Boston Harbor, Feb. 5th. The vessel was 
afterwards raised and repaired. 

1872. 

Sixty-three lives and twelve vessels were lost this yeav, as follows : 
four vessels in the Bank fishery, seven in the shore, and one Geor- 
gesman. 

Schooner MESSENGER was lost on Western Bank, in January, 
with twelve men, viz. : Timothy Osier, Master ; Thomas W. Gray, 
Peter Singer, John Flaherty, George Robinson, Levi Clark, William 
L. King, William C. Goodenow, Henry G. Blanchard, Albion P. 
Blake, Thomas Clark, Albert Hall. Owned by J. F. Wonson & Co. 
Valued at $7,000 ; insured for S6,625. 

Schooner SOUTHERN CROSS, engaged in the Grand Bank fish- 
ery, lost in the ice off Newfoundland, March 12th. Crew saved. 
Owned by Rowe & Jordan. Valued at $7,000; insured for $6,125. 

Schooner FRANKLIN SNOW, lost on Grand Banks, with twelve 
men, in Mai'ch, viz.: Charles P. Jewett, Master; Benjamin S. 
Jewett (his brother), Walter G. Jewett (their cousin) Horace P. 



48 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Moore, Moses J. Moore, all of Westport, Me. ; William Bushy, 
Alfred Lawsou, Henry Olsen, George Jewers, Henry Lambert, Peter 
Conway, James G. Anderson. Owned by George Steele. Valued at 
$6,700 ; insured for $5,926. 

Schooner "WHITE EAGLE, lost on Grand Banks, in April, with 
twelve men, viz. : Nelson Goodwin, Master ; Warren Goodwin and 
James Goodwin (brothers to the master), Samuel Goodwin and Asa 
Goodwin (brothers), Jedediah Goodwin, Simeon Goodwin, David 
Hines, all of Argyle, N. S. ; Thomas Parsons, Leander M. Cook, of 
Eockport ; James D. Burnham, Joseph Bowden. Owned by Rowe & 
Jordan. Valued at $8,000 ; insured for $7,125. 

The following persons were also lost in the Bank fisheries, the 
greater portion while visiting their trawls : 

James Downy and Richard Kelly, of Guysboro', N. S., were lost 
from schooner Mary Low, on Western Bank, in March. 

William J. McKay, of this town, and Patrick O'Brien, of New- 
foundland,- from the George O. Hovey, March 12th. 

Stephen McCobb, of Friendship, Me., and Pierce Wotton, of 
this town, on Western Banlc, April 3d, from the Ocean Belle. 

Thomas McGowan, of Boston, and William Cuick, of La Have, 
N. S., on Grand Banks, March 21st, from the John Smith. 

George T. Sanford, of Deer Isle, Me., and Alex. McDonald, of 
Prince Edward Island, on Grand Banks, April 11th, from the M. L. 
Wetherell. 

Oliver Johnson, of this town, of the Marj^ Carlisle, from a dory in 
Belle Harbor, N. F., June 3d. 

William Safford, of St. John's, N. B., from the William Parsons, 
2d, on St. Peter's Bank, July 27th. 

Reuben Pierce, of Boothbay, Me., from the Annie Linwood, on 
Western Bank, December 13th. 

Schooner MATCHLESS, lost on Georges, in March, with ten 
men, viz. : Abraham Gilware, Master ; David Goodro, John White, 
John Laseur, Frank Smith, Thomas Sampson, Alphonso Edwards, 
Thomas Anderson, Jaffrey White, James Tarr. Owned by Sidney 
Friend & Bro. Valued at $7,200 ; insured for $6,350. 

Schooner HERMAN E. POOL broke from her moorings and 
drifted out of the harbor, and was lost in a violent snow-storm, Feb. 
3d. Owned by Capt. Samuel G. Pool and Joseph Friend. Valued 
at $5,7'00 ; insured for $4,988. 

Schooner JOSEPHINE sprank aleak and sank off Portland, May 



fishermen's memorial axd record book. 49 

25th. Crow saved. Owned b}' Peter Hanson. Valued at 82,000 ; 
insured for $1,500. 

Schooner GEORGE W. CLIFFORD, sunk off Harpswell, Me., 
July 2d. Crew saved. Owned by Jeremiah R. Cook. Valued at 
61,200 ; insured for Si, 000. 

Schooner TIVANO, lost on Green Island Ledge, off Portland, 
July 17th. Crew saved. Owned by John F. "Wonson & Co. Valued 
at $1,500 ; insured for $1,394. 

Schooner SIGNAL, run down and sunk off Matinicus, Aug. 30th. 
Crew saved. Owned by George Brown & Co. Valued at $900 ; in- 
sured for $813. 

• Schooner WILLIAM WALWORTH, lost on 'Squam Bar, October 
23d. Crew saved. Owned by the master, Capt. Owen Jones, and 
William Parsons, 2d & Co. Valued at $5,500 ; insured for $4,875. 

Schooner ADA L. HARRIS, lost on Nantucket Shoals, November 
1st. Crew saved. Owned by Capt. John Blatchford. Valued at 
$2,700 ; insured for $2,400. 

Caleb Coops, of this town, was lost on Georges, from the Edward 
Everett, March 2d. 

James McIntosh, of this town, and Charles Wells, of Manches- 
ter, were lost from the Oceanus, in the shore winter fishery, March 
15th. 

James S. Hdtchins, of Edgecomb, Me., lost from the General 
Grant, on the homeward passage from Newfoundland, January 17th. 

1873, TO JULY 1. 

Up to the above date, comprising the first six months of the year, 
there have been twelve vessels and forty-one lives lost. Six vessels 
were lost in the shore fishery, two in the Newfoundland herring busi- 
ness, one in the Grand Manan, one Western Banker, one Georges- 
man, and one in the fruiting business. 

Schooner ADDISON GILBERT, Capt. Jameson, engaged in the 
shore winter fishery, was run into while on her way out of Portsmouth 
Harbor, January 6th, by sloop M. M. Hamilton, of Portland, and 
sunk. The crew had barely time to get on board the sloop, saving 
only what they had on. The vessel was a total loss. Owned by 
David Low & Co. Valued at $2,600 ; insured for $2,275. 

Schooner FRANKLIN A., Capt. David. Melanson, was run down 
by schooner E. B. Phillips, on the evening of January 17th, off Falk- 
land Island, Long Island Sound. The Phillips struck the Franklin 
A. nearly amidships, carrying away both masts, and cutting through 



50 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

the hull, and she sank almost immediately. Capt. Melanson, and the 
mate, Roderick D3'er, were knocked overboard by the shock of the 
colliding vessels, and were in the water some time before they were 
rescued, narrowly escaping a watery grave. Owned by John F. "Won- 
son & Co., and the captain. Valued at $6,000 ; insured for $5,500. 

Schooner GEORGE STEELE, in the fruiting business, was lost 
in the gale of January 13th, sixty miles from Baracoa. Crew saved. 
Owned by George Steele. Valued at $7,300 ; insured for $6,300. 

Schooner MARY T. YOUNG, in the shore winter fishery, went 
ashore February 1st, three miles below Race Point, and became a 
total loss. Crew saved. Valued at $1,200 ; insured for $1,000. 

Schooner THORWALDSEN left Newfoundland for Gloucester, 
Feb. 18th, with a cargo of frozen herring, and never reached port. 
Had a crew of seven men, as follows: George W. Phillips, Master; 
William S. Callahan, mate ; John Gorratt, Ronald McEachren, John 
Crittenden, Donald McDonald, William Smith. Owned by Capt. 
James R. Hamilton and others. Valued at $7,800 ; insured for 
$6,825. 

Boat GARIBALDI was lost in Ipswich Bay, March 11th. Crew 
saved. Owned by George W. Morgan and Levi Lane, of Lanesville. 
Valued at $300 ; no insurance. 

Schooner J. H. ORNE was lost on Georges, in March. Crew of 
eleven men, viz. : Matthew A. Nickerson, Master ; Frank Rose, John 
Berry, Frank M. Silva, Manuel Rogers, John Williams, Manuel 
Roberts, E. F. Terry, Manuel T. Morris, Joseph Morris, Manuel 
Veader. Owned by Samuel Lane & Brother. Valued at $6,500 ; in- 
sured for $5,500. 

Boat O'CONNELL-, engaged in the shore fishery, was lost near the 
Powder Hole, Cape Cod, May 14th. Crew saved. Owned and com- 
manded by Capt. Thomas Sullivan. Valued at $800 ; no insurance. 

Schooner WILLIAM J. DALE sailed for the Bay of Islands, Now- 
foundland, in November, and started for home, but never reached 
port. Had a crew of nine men, viz. : Murdock McNeil, Master ; Pe- 
ter Flynn, James Scott, John Conway, Adalbert Gilley, James Cook, 
James Lawler, and two men, names unknown. Valued at $5,800, 
on which is claimed an insurance of $5,500. 

Schooner LAURA A. BURNHAM, in the Western Bank fishery, 
was lost on Sable Island, May 27th. Crew saved. Owned by James 
Mansfield & Son. Valued with her outfit at $7,500,* insured for 
$6,488. 

Schooner BELVIDERE, shore mackereling, lost on Benton's reef 



fishermen's memorial and r.ECOKD BOOK. 51 

near Newport, R. I., June 4th. Crew saved. Owned by Daniel 
Sayward. Valued with outfit at 82,300 ; insured for $2,075. 

Schooner EMPIRE STATE, Capt. Stephen Smith, in the shore 
mackerel fishery, went ashore at Cape Porpoise, June 30th, and became 
a total loss. 'Crew saved. Owned by the master, and others. Val- 
ued with her outfit at $4,000 ; insured for $3,563. 

The following persons were lost in the Bank fisheries, the greater 
poi tion of them meeting their death while visiting their trav.ls : 

Anthony Amroe was lost from schooner Elisha Crowell, on AYes- 
tern Bank, January 22d ; Michael Caklton, from the Aaron Burn- 
ham, 2d, March 22d, while on the passage to Grand Banks ; Archi- 
bald Beaton and Benj. Carpenter, from the Sarah P. Ayer, March 
14th ; Leverett Leland and Charles O. Dale, from the Tragabig- 
zanda, March 24th ; Edward TVhite, from the Ilattie S. Clark, May 
18th; Patrick Murphy and Charles McPherson, from the Ruth 
Groves, May 2d ; TVm. W. Colby and Charles M. Greenleaf, from 
the Peter D. Smith, June 11th. 

Thomas Olevrson, one of the crew of the Esther Ward, died very 
suddenly, of heart complaint, on Georges, June 13th. He was bait- 
ing his hook at the time, when he dropped on deck and almost im- 
mediately expired. 

James Foran, of the "Water Spirit, was drowned at Port Dover, 
N. S., May 28th, by the capsizing of a boat. 

Capt. Duncan Grant, of the Finance, was lost on Georges, Feb- 
ruary 18th. 

The foregoing losses show an aggregate of 12G5 lives and 280 ves- 
sels lost during the past 42 1-2 years. Of this number, 93 vessels and 
708 lives were lost in the Georges fishery ; 19 vessels and 209 lives 
in the Grand and Western Bank fisheries ; 56 vessels and 107 lives 
in the shore cod and mackerel fisheries ; 48 vessels and 93 lives in 
the Bay of St. Lawrence mackerel fishery ; 19 vessels and 68 lives in 
the Newfoundland herring fishery ; 34 vessels and 65 lives in the 
freighting business ; 2 vessels in the Grand Manan herring fishery ; 
1 vessel and 12 lives in the Greenland halibut fishery ; 6 vessels 
burnt by pirate Tacony ; 1 pilot boat lost in the harbor. Of the 280 
vessels lost, the crews of 147 (a little more than half) were saved. 
The loss of life and property on Georges is upwards of one half the 
entii-e loss. The total value of the vessels lost is $1,145,500, on 
which there was an insurance of $839,525, mostly in the local offices. 



52 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



In acl.lition to the above are the partial losses, losses of cables, an- 
chors, etc., which cannot be reckoned less than $150,000, making the 
total loss, $1,295,500. 

As no record of the number of widows and orphans made by these 
losses was kept previous to 1858, it is impossible to get at the cor- 
rect number, but taking an average of the past twelve years, it would 
give ten widows and twenty fatherless children yearly, or a total of 
422 widows and 844. children. The losses average 28 lives and 6 
vessels yearly. 



Errata. — In the heading of this chapter, the number of lives lost is stated 1251 — num- 
ber of vessels, 281. After the first pages were printed, additional losses of life were ascer- 
tained, which increased the total number to 1255, as shown by the table on the next page. 
One schooner, not owned here, has also been taken from the list, making the correct num- 
ber of vessels lost, 280, as per table. 







'-^^-.'.. 




FISHERMEN S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 



TABLE OF RECAPITULATION. 



Year. 


Men. 


Vessels. 


Valuation. 


Insurance. 


1830 


7 


3 


$5,600 


$3,100 


1832 




1 


1,000 




1833 




1 


1,000 




1834 


4 


1 


1,500 




1836 




1 


1,000 




1837 


24 


5 


10,100 


5,300 


1838 


4 


4 


7,100 


3,000 


1839 


4 


2 


3,800 


3,150 


1840 


6 


2 


3,800 


1,400 


1841 


8 


2 


2,725 


150 


1842 




3 


2,000 


150 


1843 


10 


3 


6,000 


2,000 


1844 


7 


3 


4,800 


1,500 


1845 


7 


4 


4,500 


2,350 


1846 


15 


3 


4,900 


3,600 


1847 




3 


6,200 


4,450 


1849 


10 


2 


3,500 


2,200 


1850 


39 


4 


12.500 


10,300 


1851 


32 


9 


17,300 


14,800 


1852 


32 


13 


41,800 


36,700 


1853 




3 


10,000 


8,800 


1854 


26 


4 


14,600 


12,650 


1855 


21 


7 


20,900 


16,100 


1856 


2 


6 


14,400 


11,475 


1857 


9 


5 


11,500 


7,750 


1858 


42 


7 


18,700 


8,537 


1859 


36 


6 


2],9:)0 


10,475 


18G0 


73 


7 


26,350 


20,494 


1861 


44 


15 


54,250 


43,880 


1862 


162 


19 


66,500 


53,225 


1863 


6 


9 


38,000 


8,300 


1864 


85 


13 


79,900 


50,525 


1865 


11 


8 


40,300 


32,400 


1866 


26 


15 


114,250 


82,095 


1867 


66 


11 


82,675 


59,009 


1868 


40 


4 


35,000 


28,150 


1869 


66 


16 


83,450 


54,137 


1870 


97 


13 


75,200 


59,907 


1871 


140 


19 


89,000 


77,259 


1872 


63 


12 


55,400 


49,121 


1873 


41 


12 


52,100 


45,026 


Total, 


1,265 


280 


61,145,500 


S839.525 



54 fishermen's memorial and record book. 



On Georges in the Terrible Gale of February 24th, 

1862. The experience of one who was there 

for the first and the last time. 

[Among the crew of one of the Georgesmen which escaped the ter- 
rible perils of the gale of February 24th, 1862, was. a young man 
from one of our inland cities, who had made several trips mackereling, 
in the summer months, where he had heard the " veterans " talk of 
the perils of the Georges fishery. These stories, told with the gusto 
of tirst-class yarn spinners, kindled within him a strong desire to go 
on one of these trips, which he did, and as it happened, he got an 
experience which will last him a life-time. We gleaned from him the 
following narrative of that terrible event, which we publish almost 
verbatim.] 

The winter of 1862 found me out of employment, and I determined 
to gratify my long pent-up inclination of going to Georges. It was 
early in February. The weather had been extremely mild, for the 
season, and there were busy times at the wharves in Gloucester, fit- 
ting away the vessels, some of which had already sailed, and many 
were nearly ready. 

Upon going to the fitting-out store of Messrs. , I was cor- 
dially received. Thej' were surprised to learn that I wanted to go to 
Georges, and endeavored to dissuade me from my purpose ; but all of 
no avail, and as they had a vessel which would be ready to sail in a 
day or two, told me I could have a chance in her. Procuring the 
necessary additions to my outfit, I entei-ed heartily into the work of 
getting our craft in readiness. The ice-house in the hold was filled 
with the crystal blocks, the cable and anchors overhauled, gurry-pens 
placed in position, bate of fresh herring packed in the ice, provisions 
taken care of, and the vessel put in a taut and strong condition. 

On the morning of February 14th, we started, and, in a glorious 
run of twenty-four hours, sighted the fleet on the Banks — nearly a 
hundred sail, riding at their anchors, half a mile, and in some instan- 
ces, a mile apart. It was a pretty sight, and the fine, clear weather, 
rendered it highly enjoyable. We could distinctly see the men at 



fishermen's memorial axd record book. 55 

the rail pulling in fish, rapidly as hands and arms could move. Soon 
our position was selected, anchor down, and the crew busy getting 
ready to try their luck. 

The cold, to one of my constitution, was intense, and pierced into 
the very marrow of my bones, although thickly clothed. • But this 
deep sea fishing was so exciting that I stood at the rail sometimes a 
full hour, without changing my position, pulling in the big codfish, 
and occasionally a halibut. It was a moment of supreme gratifica- 
tion when I hauled in my first fish of the latter species, and saw him 
floating alongside with the hook securely fastened in his mouth. 
One of the cre^r helped me to gaff him over the rail, and I felt myself 
master of the situation. Our steward, a Portuguese, was a clever 
fellow, and, iu honor of my first halibut, brought me a mugful of hot 
coffee, and a pancake with plums in it, called by the fishermen a " joe- 
flogger." Pulling in these big fish from so many fathoms down, 
against a strong tide, was work I was not accustomed to, and glad 
enough was I, after partaking of a hearty supper, to turn into my 
bunk, and be lulled to sleep by the tossing of the billows. 

The crew were a jolly set, and for several da3'3 the weather was 
fine, the fish abundant, and the fun immense. We had changed our 
berth twice, each time drawing nearer to the body of the fleet, and 
each time found the fish more plentiful. I began to think that the 
Georges fishery, after all, was not so bad as it had been represented, 
although it used to fret me exceedingly to see so many of the vessels 
lying so near together, knowing full well that, in case of a sudden 
storm and they dragged their anchors, chafed off their cables and 
went adrift, collision would be inevitable. But there being no appar- 
ent danger, I dismissed the thought in keeping busy. 

We now had more than half a fare, and the skipper remarked, one 
afternoon, as he lit his pipe : — 

" Boys, if our luck holds on, by another week we'll think of putting 
our craft on the homeward track." 

This was cheering, and we finished up the day with a good catch. 
At sundown, there was quite a sudden change in the weather. The 
clouds massed, and the rising wind made the sea rough. All signs 
indicated an approaching storm. It was a wild-looking night ; the 
vessels tossed up and down like cockle-shells. At eight o'clock the 
skipper began to get uneasy. He kept looking up at the sky, and 
then glanced along the horizon. Ben, my chum, whispered to me : — 

" Depend on it, we're going to have a tough one out of this, and I 
shouldn't wonder if you had a chance to see more o' Georges than 



56 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

you'll ever want to see ag'in. I've been with the old man half-a-tloz- 
en years, and when I see him walkin' and lookin' that way, I make 
up my mind that som'thin's goin' to happen." 

By this time, the sky had grown inky-black, the wind had veered 
to the northeast, and was increasing in violence. It began to snow 
— moderately at first, then more fiercely fell the white flakes. The 
skipper went forward and examined the cable, then gave orders to 
pay out some ten fathoms or more, which was done. Our lights in 
the rigging had been lit since sundown, and all about us were the 
lights of the fleet, looking so prettily, as they danced up and down 
with the motion of the vessel. The skipper, upon being asked what 
he thought, replied : — 

" "We'll have a tough time 'tween now and morning, and the watch 
must keep a sharp look-out for drifting vessels. If the rest of you 
want to take a nap, do it now, as there won't be much sleeping a 
couple of hours from now." 

All hands except the watch, went below at about half-past eight 
o'clock. I could not remain there, but kept going on deck. It was 
something new and terrible to me, and as I was well wrapped, I did 
not suffer much from the wet and cold. But I did feel anxious, and 
I would have given all I possessed, were I safely at home. But wish- 
ing was of no avail — here I was, and I must take my chance with the 
rest. "We can die but once, thought I, and I began to have serious 
thoughts. Not that I was afraid of death — no, that was not the feel- 
ing — but there was one at home whom I wanted to see, and, holding 
her hand in mine, I should have been better reconciled. But per- 
haps it is as v.ell not to tell all ray thoughts at that fearful time. 
"We have singular fancies in hours of danger. 

It was now about eleven o'clock. The wind had risen fearfully, 
the snow came down spitefully, and the sea rose higher than I had 
ever supposed it possible for it to rise, and was covered with suovv}' 
caps of foam. The sensation of being tossed up and down so vio- 
lentl}', together with the darkness and the storm, were not pleasing, 
and it seemed to me, that every plunge the vessel made would be 
her last.- 

As midnight drew near the gale increased fearfully. I had never 
experienced anything so terrific before, and the stories which were 
told on board the mackerel-catcher now assumed a more truthful as- 
pect. How the winds shrieked through the cordage, and the waves 
leaped, seemingly impatient to add us to the many victims which 
have been swallowed up on this treacherous spot ! My shipmates 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 57 

showed no signs of fear ; they were now all on deck, and the skip- 
per was keeping a sharp lookout. Ben was also on the alert, and 
had placed a hatchet near the windlass, to be in readiness should it 
be deemed necessar}^ to cut our cable. As he came near where I was 
standing, he very coolly remarked "that if we did not break adrift 
ourselves, or some other vessel didn't run into us, he thought we 
might ride it out." To me it seemed an utter impossibility for any 
vessel to stand such a gale, but I said nothing. The great danger 
to be apprehended was from collision, as in case that either ourselves 
or some other of the fleet lost their anchor or parted their cable, 
awa}' thej^ would go with fearful speed ; then if they struck another 
craft, good-bye to both of them — there was not the slightest hope for 
either. 

The darkness was impenetrable, and a more dismal night I never 
passed. IIow I longed for morning to dawn. Once in a while the 
storm would lull for a little time, and the snow did not fall so thick- 
ly ; then we could see some of the lights of the fleet ; but this was 
not often. "We knew the situation ere the storm came on, but now 
we must wait till daylight. The hours dragged heavily along — anx- 
ious hours they were. They are indelibly impressed on my memory^ 
and will not be effaced until death claims me. During the night, a 
large vessel passed quite near us. We could see her lights, also her 
spars and sails, as she sped swiftly along on the wings of the storm. 
Glad enough were we, to have her pass us, and I trembled at the 
thought of our fate, had she struck our little craft. When I learned 
of the terrible disaster of the gale, I came to the conclusion that this 
vessel was the cause of some portion of it. 

At length the east began to lighten ; morning was coming. What 
a relief it was when the day dawned ! Our danger was not over, for 
the gale still continued, but there was a comfort which the light 
brouglit, that did me good. ■ The fearful darkness of the night, and 
that terrible uncertainty was relieved, as we could now see our posi- 
tion, and could now the better guard against the threatening dangers. 
Our vigilance was not relaxed. We had something to eat, and then 
kept up our watching, for the storm still continued its fury. Some- 
where about nine o'clock, the skipper sang out, " There's a vessel 
adrift right ahead of us I stand by with your hatchet, but don't cut 
till you hear the word ! " 

Ben was there at his post. He could be trusted at such a time, and 
would await orders — this all on board knew full well. All eyes were 



58 fishermen's memorial and record book, 

now bent on the drifting craft. On she came ! It was a fearful rao- 
ment to me, and it was evident that the men — some of whom had fol- 
lowed Georges fishing for ten seasons, thought there was danger now 
— but the}' were not afraid. There they stood, determined to do their 
best for their lives. I knew I should share the same fate with them, 
and there was some consolation even in this. The drifting vessel 
was coming directly for us ; a moment more, and the signal to cut 
must be given ! With the swiftness of a gull she passed by, so near 
that I could have leaped aboard, just clearing us, and we were saved 
from that danger, thank God ! The hopeless, terror-stricken faces of 
the crew we saw but a moment, as they went on to certain death. 
"We watched the doomed craft, as she sped on her course. She struck 
one of the fleet, a short distance astern, and we saw the waters close 
over both vessels, almost instantly, and as we gazed, they both dis- 
appeared. Then we knew that two vessels of the fleet would never 
again return to port. 

We had little time to think of others, as we began to drag our an- 
chors, and yaw about too much for safety. This was dangerous in 
the extreme, for if the anchors did not take hold again, we must cut 
the cables, and, once adrift, we knew our fate. Fortunately, the an- 
chors found holding ground, and we rode again in safety. 

All through the day we watched. Twice was our safety endangered 
by vessels adrift, but they went clear. We were saved ! At sundown 
the gale moderated, but we knew that many a poor fellow who had 
left Gloucester full of hope, would never more return ; that many a 
wife would never again see her husband, and mothers and brothers 
and sisters would have cause to remember the terrible gale which 
had swept so fearfully over the Georges. 

I was on nettles all next day, as I thought the skipper would im- 
mediately start for home. But judge of my surprise to see the men 
coolly get their lines in readiness for fishing, just as though there had 
been no storm, no danger or peril but a few hours ago. This was 
indeed intensely practical. They smoked and talked of getting a 
fare with so much coolness, that it really seemed terrible to me. 
" Supposing we should catch another gale — what then ? " I received 
for a reply, that " they had come to get a trip of fish ; I, to see how 
I liked Georges." We fished through the week, had good luck, and 
it was a happy moment when the skipper said, " Get the anchor ; 
we'll turn her nose homeward." Eastern Point Light, when first 
sighted, looked cheering and friendly. As we passed in by the Fort, 
there was a crowd of people, and as they saw our vessel's name, there 



FISHERMEN S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 



59 



was rejoicing. Several came on board asking if we had seen such a 
vessel since the gale. The town was in commotion. Such anxiety 
I hope never again to witness. 

When the vessel came alongside the wharf, I put my luggage out, 
and concluded not to repeat the experiment of making a trip to 
Georges in midwinter. When I got home, they told me I had grown 
much older in the few weeks of my absence. What I experienced 
during that night and day of storm was enough to make any one, 
especially a green hand, grow old. I have no wish to try it again. 
If the reader wishes a similar experience, perhaps it woul(J be well 
for him to take a trip, but I advise all such to make their wills ere 
they leave port. 




60 fishermen's MEilOEIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 




The Mackerel Fishery— Gii/ing an Aoc&uQt of its 

Commencement and Progress, with Statistics of 

the Catch for the past Thirteen Years. 

This branch of the fisheries, which has now assumed such magni- 
tude, has quite an interesting historj', which we have gleaned from 
parties who were directly interested, and know whereof they affirm. 

It was first prosecuted by the small boats, about the year 1800. 
The mackerel were caught mostly on the inner Bank, and carried 
fresh to Boston market through the summer. Only the largest were 
saved, and these were sold for five or sis cents apiece, and sometimes 
as high as ten cents. Each boat was ballasted with pebbles ; on this 
were placed hogshead tubs, each having a hole with a plug in it. 
These tubs were filled with salt water, and as soon as the mackerel 
were dressed, they were put into the tubs, and the water changed 
every hour by drawing the plugs and allowing it to run ofl", until suflS- 
cient were caught to start for market, the changing of the water con- 
tinuing, until the boat arrived above the Castle, where it is said the 
water loses its coolness. The great object after catching the mack- 
erel was to get them to market before daylight, in order to have the 
cool of the morning to sell them in. If a boat with three men and 
two boys stocked fifty dollars a week, it was considered satisfactory. 



fisheemen's memoeial and eecoed book. 61 

Trailing was one of the means used to catch mackerel in the olden 
time, and one of our old fishermen informs us that when a lad, he 
distinctly remembers of being out in Boston Bay, one day, in a boat 
with his father, when he saw a vessel which looked very strangely to 
his young e3'es, and, bo^Mike, he asked his father what sort of craft 
it was. 

"That's a trailer, my boy, and we'll speak with him," was the re- 
ply. 

They sailed quite near, and they observed that the vessel had out- 
riggers of long poles on each side, commencing forward at about 
seventeen feet, and tapering off to five feet aft. At the ends, lines 
were fastened, about twenty fathoms long, with a sinker of four 
pounds, and hook below. To each of these lines were attached a 
bridle, reaching to the side of the vessel, where the fishermen stood 
to feel the bites. This particular vessel was from Hingham, and had 
been out four weeks without receiving even a bite, and the skipper 
said he was going to give it up and go home. 

In 1812 a large school of Spanish mackerel visited this Bay, and 
so plenty and numerous were they, that they would bite readily at 
the bare hook, and seize upon small bits of line hanging from the 
vessel. Standing-room boats were then mostly in use, of from fifteen 
to twenty tons. These rooms held from fifteen to twenty barrels, and 
the crews would catch them full in a few hours. Mr. Timothy Rog- 
ers, at Kowe's Bank, bought most of these mackerel, fresh, after being 
dressed, at two cents per pound, salting them in his'buildings, and 
the business, which lasted two months, was a lively one. These mack- 
erel did not continue on this coast but a few years, and have now 
almost entirely disappeared. There were a few caught, with the oth- 
er mackerel, as late as 1825, since which time it is very rare to see 
one during the entire season. 

The present mode of catching mackerel by drifting and tolling 
with bait, did not come into general use until after 1812. The gear 
for catching, previous to that, was a white hempen bob line, as it was 
called, and the style of fishing was termed " bobbing" mackerel. 
These lines were some seven fathoms in length, with a leaden sinker 
two inches long, and shaped like a thin pea-pod. At one end was a 
ganging about a foot long, for the hook. Every few minutes o3 
would go the hook, and extra hooks were always in readiness to re- 
place those lost. This mode continued until the year 1816, when 
Abraham Lurvej', of Pigeon Cove, discovered a method of running 
lead around the hooks, and which were afterward called jigs. This 



62 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

he kept secret for many mouths. The hooks then in use were nearly 
as large as the haddock hooks of to-day. The small lines and fly 
lines, did not come into use until about 1823. About this time the 
gaflf was introduced, and was abandoned after being used some ten 
3'ears. 

In the commencement of the mackerel fishery, the crews, with some 
few exceptions, continued through the entire season. But one settle- 
ment was made, the men, who were classed as sharesman, all sharing 
equal, the mackerel being put together in common stock. 

Bait mills were not used until the year 1820, or thereabouts. Pre- 
vious to this, the bait was ground up by the fishermen under the heels 
of their heavy boots ; subsequently it was pounded with mallets, then 
came the chopping on a block with hatchets, which was considered 
quite an improvement, and was done during the watch at night. The 
bait mill, however, proved the thing, and came into general use soon 
after its introduction. 

In the summer of 1818, Capt. Simeon Burnham made a trip in the 
schooner President, to Cashe's, for the purpose of catching mackerel 
to salt. This, so far as we can learn, was the first trip for the pur- 
pose of catching mackerel to salt, ever made from this port ; conse- 
quently to Capt. Burnham belongs the honor of being the pioneer in 
this branch of the fisheries. It was considered quite an important 
event at the time, so much so that Capt. Benjamin Tarr was hired to 
go as navigator. Seventy barrels were caught on this trip, and they 
were packed in, Boston. Two years after, this branch began to in- 
crease, and in 1821, several other jiggers were added to the fleet. They 
carried six hands and were absent about a week. The jiggers were 
stowed with butts and wash-barrels, and no mackerel were headed 
upon board, until about 1820. In 1821, Samuel Wonson, Elisha M. 
Oakes, Robert Marston, 'Simeon Burnham, Samuel Brown, Nathaniel 
Blatchford, John Wonson,.' Geo'-'^e Wonson, James Merchant, Epes 
Merchant, were the skippers of ftie jiggers, which comprised the chief 
part of the mackerel fleet. These jiggers ranged in tonnage from 
twenty-seven to forty-five tons. Prior to 1818, there were but few 
mackerel packed in Gloucester, that part of the business being most- 
ly done in Boston. Moses Gilbert was the only inspector in town 
until 1828, and his accommodations were quite limited. At this date 
several other inspectors were appointed, and the mackerel fishery be- 
gan to assume quite a business importance. 

In the year 1822, Capt. William Marshall caught a few mackerel on 
Georges, which were the first, so far as we can ascertain, ever caught 



FISHERIVIEN'S MEMOKIAL AND KECOED BOOK. Gd 

there b}^ a Cape Ann skipper. Mackerel have been caught there every 
year since, more or less, and rank in quality among the best. 

The first trip to the Bay of St. Lawrence for mackerel, from this 
port, was made in 1830, by Capt. Charles P. "Wood, in the Mariner. 
She v;as absent but four weeks, and came in full of large fat mack- 
erel. This created quite an excitement among the fishermen, and the 
next season the Bay fishing commenced in good earnest. The ves- 
sels at first made but one trip, and finished up their season's work on 
this shore. Two hundred and fifty barrels was considered a good 
trip for a vessel of forty or fifty tons. As soon as the business was 
found to be profitable, vessels of a larger class were added to the fleet, 
and it has gradually increased from year to year, until the present 
time. 

The seasons of 1825 and 1831 were the greatest known for mack- 
erel, up to this date. Vessels not over fifty tons, landed upwards of 
thirteen hundred barrels, averaging through the fleet about eight 
hundred. Mackerel continued in Boston Bay, near the land, in the 
year 1825, until the fourth day of December, the crew of schooner 
Frances Elizabeth having caught twelve wash-barrels on that day. 
The catch was not so large as in '31, to each vessel, but the aggregate 
was much larger, and the mackerel of a better quality. These fish 
were so plenty that the fishermen devoted the day to catching, and 
the greater portion of the night to landing and dressing, and were 
completely worn out with their arduous labors. One morning dur- 
ing the first week in December, while the fleet were some ten miles 
off Eastern Point, the mackerel failed to come to the surface, after 
the usual throwing of bait. This was a pretty sure sign that they had 
gone, and the fishermen, whose sore hands and tired bodies bore ev- 
idence of the work they had accomplished in mackerel catching, were 
heartily glad, that at last the fish had taken themselves off, and 
many of the fleet hoisted their flags as a token of their rejoicing over 
the event of the mackerels' depart.^, xhc price of mackerel this 
year was §5.50 for I's ; $3.50 for 2's ; $2.50 for 3's, and out of this, 
$1.25 was paid for packing. 

From the dozen jiggers which composed the greater portion of the 
mackerel fleet of 1821, we have to-day, fifty-two years later, a fleet of 
some two hundred clipper schooners, perfect in all their appointments, 
engaged in this^branch of the fisheries. The hook and line has given 
place, to a great extent, to seines, and the rapidity which a seiner's 
crew will surround a school and make a haul forms a scene of the 
most intense excitement. It oftentimes happens that they are unable 



G4 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



to take care of thoir haul, and in order to make the most of tlie 
catch, some other vessel is signalized, and in consideration of giving 
a certain percentage of what they may get from the nets, are allowed 
to help themselves. 

Mackerel catching b3' the hook is lively sport. The school is seen 
a short distance ahead, bait is thrown to toll them alongside, then 
over go the lines, and hands and arms are busy in pulling them in 
and slatting them off — their jaws being- so tender that it is not nec- 
essary' to unfasten the hook. A peculiar sort of a jerk, soon acquired, 
does this, and then up with another, and so on, as long as the school 
can be kept alongside. Then follows the dressing, and by the time 
this is accomplished, one is tired enough to turn in and enjoy a good 
solid dose of " tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." 

Below is given the statistics of the catch of mackerel from the port 
of Gloucester for the past tliirteen j'ears : 

1860.-37,407 1-2 No. I's; 42,659 7-8 .No. 2's ; 17,108 No. 3's 
816 5-8 No. 4's ; making a total of 97,992 barrels, for the year. 

1861.-37,995 3-8 No. I's ; 45,533 1-2 No. 2's ; 6,707 1-4 No. 5's 
279 3-4 No. 4's ; making a total of 90,515 7-8 barrels. 

1862.-53,569 7-8 No. I's ; 33,115 3-8 No. 2's ; 29,364 3-8 No. 3's 
188 1-4 No. 4's ; making u total of 116,237 7-8 barrels. 

1863.-54,855 5-8 No. I's ; 71,983 5-8 No. 2's ; 26,921 1-4 No. 3's 
132 No. 4's ; making a total of 153,892 1-2 barrels. 

1864.-68,061 1-2 No. I's ; 73,002 No. 2's ; 13,866 3-4 No. 3's 
8 1-2 No. 4's ; making a total of 154,938 3-8 barrels. 

1865.-99,174 3-8 No. I's ; 28,378 1-2 No. 2's ; 18,995 1-2 No. 3's 
28 No. 4's ; making a total of 141,575 3-4 barrels. 

1866.-86,245 No. I's ; 13,630 7-8 No. 2's ; 12,978 No. 3's ; 2 1-2 
No. 4's ; making a total of 112,856 3-8 barrels. 

1867.-78,062 1-8 No. I's ; 17,328 1-8 No. 2's ; 8,507 1-8 No. 3's ; 
20 1-2 No. 4's ; making a total of 103,917 1-2 barrels. 

1868.-50,652 1-2 No. I's ; 14,209 1-8 No. 2's ; 10,495 1-2 No. 3's ; 
160 No. 4's ; making a total of 75,517 1-8 barrels. 

1869.-37,123 1-4 No. I's ; 36,595 1-2 No. 2's ; 18,495 2-3 No. 3's ; 
making a total of 92,214 5-8 barrels. 

1870.-32,089 3-4 No. I's ; 82,935 3-4 No. 2's ; 14,564 5-8 No. 3's ; 
5 No. 4's ; making a total of 129,595 1-4 barrels. 

1871.-49,144 5-8 No. I's ; 36,880 7-8 No. 2's ; 20,592 3-4 No. 3's ; 
30 1-2 No. 4's ; making a total of 107,008 3-4 barrels. 

1872.-34,013 3-4 No. I's ; 20,403 No. 2's; 12,959 No. 3's; 23 
No. 4's ; making a total of 67,395 7-8 barrels. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 65 




The Haddock, Pollock, Cod and Halibut Fisheries, 

giving an account of the First Trips to 

Georges for Codfish. 

An important feature in the Spring fishing, from 1812 to 1S17, was 
tlie haddock market fishery, which was pursued by the fishing boats. 
The fish were very abundant in the vicinity of Nahant, and were mar- 
keted at Charlestown, where the alewives used for bait could be ob- 
tained. These were caught at Medford. The fishery commenced 
from the first of March and continued until the latter part of April. 
At this date herring came into the bay, and the Spring codfishing 
began. 

Two-thirds of the boats engaged in the fisheries at this time be- 
longed to Sandy Bay, (now Rockport,) and at the approach of storms 
would come round into this harbor for shelter, mooring in fleets, fast- 
ened together, and in numbers not less than from thirty to forty sail. 
The skippers and crews would walk* home, leaving the boats in the 
care of a suflicient number to look out for them until the storm waa 
over. * 

During the month of May, 1821, Capts. Simeon Burnham, in the 
President, George Friend, in the Columbus, Elisha Brown, in the In- 
dependence, and Samuel Brown, in the Volant, sailed for the Bay 
of St. Lawrence, on the first codfishing voyage to that locality from 
this port, arriving home on the third of July, with full fares. At that 
time nothing was known of keeping fish salted in butts through the 
summer, and the facilities for curing were very poor, consequently they 



^Q FISHERMEN S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 

were badly burned in drying, and did not bring in the New York 
market hardly two dollars a quintal. 

During tlie month of June, while the four above mentioned 
were in the Bay of St. Lawrence for codfish, and there being a scarc- 
ity of fish in Boston Bay, the other three, viz. : Capts. Samuel Won- 
son, of the Three Sisters, Elisha M. Oakes, of the Eight Brothers, 
and Robert Marston, of the Two Friends, held a consultation, and re- 
solved to run the risk of making a trip to Georges Bank. At this 
time, (1831,) it was related as a positive fact, that if vessels an- 
chored on Georges, the current would surely run them under. The 
three vessels sailed, keeping close company. They did not dare to 
anchor at first, but drifted about and caught a few fish. Finally one 
of the skippers proposed to run the risk and anchor one of the ves- 
sels. This, after some discussion on the part of all hands, was agreed 
upon, and two extra men were put on board the vessel, as a reinforce- 
ment, to assist in getting the anchor quickly in case of any diflaculty. 
All preparations being completed, the anchor was let go, and shortly 
catches the bottom, then spin goes the cable around the windlass. 
" Now, check her a little," was the order. Soon it got a good hold, 
and the vessel started in apparent motion through the water, at about 
three knots an hour. In the mean time the other two vessels, having 
taken the current, are fast leaving the anchored craft, and those on 
board began to get alarmed. The order to heave up anchor was soon 
given, and after an hour-and-a-half's work this feat was accomplished. 
Before dark a little breeze sprang up, and the vessels all met again 
and started for home. Thus ended the first codfishing trip to Geor- 
ges. These facts were obtained from parties who heard the men tell 
their story on their arrival home, and may be relied upon as a correct 
account of the first codfishing trip to Georges by Gloucester vessels ; 
as we fail to find that any other vessels were there previous for this 
purpose, these three must have the credit of being the pioneers of the 
business. • 

From 1812 to 1820 the boats were mostly employed in Spring, in 
shore fishing, bringing in the fish fresh and dressing them from the 
boats on the beach. After the Spring fishing, the vessels would go 
on the coast of Maine, baking. This fishery lasted only a few weeks. 
In Summer, tending Boston market with mackerel caught in Boston 
Bay, and in the Fall months in the pollock fishery, catching their 
bait in seines at Little Good Harbor Beach. This pollock school 
was a great feature in the fishing business, proving the turning point 
in the year, and their appearance was looked forward to by the fish- 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 67 

ermen with considerable anxiety. Their scarcity or abundance de- 
cided the purchasing of many articles of comfort in the fisherman's 
family, and therefore all were interested in having a good pollock 
catch to wind up with. 

Mention has been made that the fish were landed on the beaches 
to be dressed. This was done from necessity, as there were no 
wharves then in town, from 1812 to 1820, below "William Pearce & 
Son's wharf, except the remains of Rogers', at Rowe's bank, which 
had only one side at which a small vessel could lie, and Friend's 
wharf, a cob of about 50 x 20 feet, the remains of a pier of about 
30x15 feet, at what is now Deacon Parker's wharf, and a smallland- 
ing place at Capt. Daniel Sayward's. Beyond, on the Point side, not 
a landing place of any description was to be seen. In the Harbor 
Cove, at the Fort, was the Parsons wharf, now Poole's. On the beach 
there was only Moses Gilbert's. No additional wharves were built 
on the beach until after 1820. There were the remains of a few cobs 
left of the early fishermen before the Revolution. 

The Georges halibut and cod fishery is of more recent date. It 
became a permanent business enterprise in the years of 1835 and '36, 
although vessels commenced going there for halibut some five years 
previous, in 1830. In the first years of the business the catch was 
almost entirely of halibut. In a full fare there would not be more 
than from six to ten quintals of codfish caught. Halibut were so 
plenty in these early years of the Georges fishery, and for some years 
after, that trips were got without anchoring the vessel at all. Sever- 
al vessels went with their chain cable only. These trips of halibut 
were marketed mostly in Boston. In 1848 this school of halibut 
culminated. This, also, was the season of the Gloucester Halibut 
Company. The wonderful catch that Spring greatly overstocked the 
market ; so much so, that under the stated price agreed upon, the 
company could not continue through the month of April, and had to 
stop fulfilling their contracts, and wind up. As an evidence of the 
abundance of these fish this season, we have only to mention that at one 
time in April nearly half a million pounds of halibut were afloat in 
this harbor. 

About this time codfish were first sold fresh, after being dressed, 
from the vessel, thus commencing the marketing of all kinds of fish on 
their arrival in port. Heretofore the fish were landed and salted and 
put into the shoresman's hands for drying, the allowance to him be- 
ing one fourteenth part of the net proceeds for his services, to be 



68 fishersien's memorial and record book. 

deducted from the gross stock, the balance to be divided equally be- 
tween the owners and crew. 

During the month of September, 1819, as the boat Madison was at 
anchor on Middle Banlc, codfishing, a large school of halibut were 
struck. One hundred and forty were caught, and the vessel immedi- 
ately got underweigh for Boston, where the halibut were sold for one 
dollar each. The boat was owned and commanded by Capt. George 
Wonson. He had with him, as crew, Moses Parsons and Benjamin 
Eobinson. 

In the year 1840 the schooner Nautilus, (heretofore spoken of as 
making the first trip to Georges for halibut,) Frederick Gerring, mas- 
ter, and the schooner Phoenix, William H. Rowe, master, made a trip 
to Georges, bringing in full fares, and were absent from port but sev- 
enty-two hours. We fail to learn of any quicker time than this, and 
think it would be hard to beat it. They had good runs both ways, 
and besan catching halibut as soon as their anchors were down. 



The Commerce of Gloucester and the Fisheries. 

The commercial interests of Gloucester were at one time quite ex- 
tensive, and aided greatly in building up and adding to the wealth 
and prosperity of the place. An antiquarian friend has recently 
been poring over some old account books, and informs us that he 
finds, during the time between 1795 and 1810, the names of eight 
ships and twenty-five brigs, which were then owned and fitted at this 
port. The West India trade was a source of profit for many years, 
especially that of the Surinam branch; but- now its glory has de- 
parted, and there is not a vessel from this port engaged in it. Oc- 
casionally a craft is fitted from Boston, in which a Gloucester mer- 
chant is interested ; but aside from this, the trade has passed into 
other hands. All the energies of our people are concentrated in the 
fisheries, and in this branch we beat the world. From present indi- 
cations there is much to encourage the pursuit, and old Gloucester 
has tacitly consented to let other ports have the swing of commerce, 
while she looks sharp after the interests connected with the hook, line 
and net. New firms are constantly engaging in the business, and if 
energy, tact and pluck avail anything, there is no fear for the future 
prosperity of our city. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 69 



The Winter Fishery of 1846— A Comparison between 
Then and Kow. 

We have succeeded in obtaining a carefully compiled statement of 
the doings of the winter fishing fleet on Georges, during the season of 
1846. There is such a contrast between the business then and now, 
that we feel assured *the details will be of interest to the reader. 

The entire fleet which followed winter fishing at that time com- 
prised twenty-nine vessels, as follows : — Schooners Mount Vernon, 
Clarissa Story, Oregon, Hosea Ballou, Huntress, Columbia, Adeline, 
Champion, Union, William Wallace, Hannibal, Clarion, Alabama, 
Concordia, H. A. Holbrook, Canton, Centurion, Constitution, Clinton, 
Pilot, Richmond, Sarah, Napoleon, Zanoni, William Penn, Emei'ald, 
Revenue, Cinderella, and Science. Their average measurement was 
sixty-two tons ; average value $2,800, and were considered the 
staunchest vessels belonging to the port. The greater number of 
these vessels have either been lost or sold from this district. The 
first ten of the above list left for Georges, January 5th, and averaged 
five trips each, during the season. Their net stock amounted to 
$11,870, and the average net earnings of the vessels were $151.50. 
The largest fares brought in, were the first two trips of the William 
Wallace, Captain James Pattillo, amounting respectively to $500 and 
$610. The arrival of these trips produced quite a sensation, and 
was the theme of conversation in the stores, on the wharves, and on 
the street. The William Wallace was the lucky craft, and to her 
captain and crew was accorded the honor of being "high liners" of 
the Georgesmen. She stocked $2,135 for her season's work. 

The next eleven vessels of the list did not go so early in the sea- 
son, but deferred their departure till February 6th. Their stock was 
$8,844, and each vessel averaged $128.36 net earnings. The remain- 
ing eight started March 2d, and netted $110 each. The total stock 
of the fleet to April 15th, amounted to $25,106, and the average 
share of each man was $62.16. 

In those days halibut comprised the principal fish caught on Geor- 
ges, and the amount of codfish caught was small. Now it is reversed, 
and codfish are the most plentiful. What a contrast — then and now ! 
Instead of the fleet of twenty-nine, of twenty-seven years ago, there 



70 fishermen's siemorial and record book. 

are now two hundred and fifty sail engaged in the business, whose 
average valuation is $6,000. The trips brought in during the best part 
of the season will average $700, and stocks of from $1,500 to $2,000 
are not unfrequent ; while the Grand Bank fishery, comparatively a 
new branch of the business, often discounts from $3,000 to $4,000 on 
a single trip ; the result of the energy and pluck of our fishermen. 

Previous to 1846 the vessels did not carry ice, but many of them 
were made into " smacks," so called, which was done by building a 
water-tight compartment amidships, and boring holes in the bottom 
to admit the salt water, and thus the halibut were kept alive. The 
other vessels were obliged to risk the keeping of Iheir fish, and made 
trips as speedily as possible. The "smacks" did not give much sat- 
isfaction, as oftentimes the wells would leak, which made consider- 
able work for the pumps, and such work is not relished by either sail- 
ors or fishermen. Then again, when in Boston harbor, the water be- 
ing so difierent from that outside, would often have a bad effect on 
the halibut. In 1848, when the Halibut Company was formed in 
town, ice was introduced, and " smacks " were no longer necessary. 




fishermen's memorial and record book. 71 



^' Uncle Charlie's" Eecollections of the Old Pinkey 

and Jigger Fleets. Also, of the Square 

Sterners, Half Clipper, and Clipper 

Model Fishing Vessels. 

Cruising along the wharves one afternoon in June in search of in- 
formation relative to the crews of some of the lost fishing vessels, 
we came across Uncle Charlie, the veteran fisherman, who was cosily 
seated on a barrel smoking his pipe and gazing off in the harbor, 
watching the vessels coming in and out. Now Uncle Charlie is a 
character well worth knowing, one of that class of fishermen of whom 
there are but few left, who has followed the business for threescore 
years, commencing when a lad of eight, and in his day has taken au 
active part in all the branches of the business, thoroughly under- 
standing the details of each, and, when in his prime, there were but 
few men in the fleet who could catch more fish or do a better day's 
work on board the vessel than he could. 

When we first saw the veteran sitting so comfortably on his bar- 
rel, the thought of "interviewing" him and thereby obtaining a 
chapter for our Memorial Book, at once came into mind, and seeing 
that the old man was in good trim, we took a seat near him, on the 
capstan of the wharf, and were soon engaged in conversation. 

How quickly did the old man's thoughts go backwards over the 
past, as we put a few leading questions! How vivid was his mem- 
ory of the old-time fishing fleet, and how his eyes sparkled and how 
brightly his face shone with pleasure as he related, one after the oth- 
er, facts and incidents of the "pinkey" and "jigger" fleets, recall- 
ing the names of some who then took active part, with hook and 
line, but who many years ago sailed for the port beyond, leaving 
their boats and all things pertaining thereto ! Uncle Charlie will, 
one day, not very far ahead, sail over the same waters, reach the 
same port, and is there anj' doubt but that he will meet with those 
gone on before, and be known and recognized as of old ? We believe 
that he will. 

This is a digression. We were seated on the capstan of the wharf, 
the veteran on his barrel, a cool breeze blowing, and perfect harmo- 
ny abroad that bright summer afternoon. 



72 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

" Now, Uncle Charlie, we want you to talk to us about old times, 
tell us about the old fishing fleet, as we are going to get up a book 
for the fishermen of to-day, who will want to know all about the past, 
and how the old fishermen used to manage, and what kind of crafts 
they sailed in." 

" Well, let me see. I'll spin off the yarns, and you can put 'em 
together to suit yourself. I don't know anything about your print- 
ing, never had but precious little book larnin', any way. At the age 
of eight I began to get my own livin', and what little I do know, I 
picked up winter evenings." 

" That don't matter, Uncle' Charlie. Spin off the yarns, and we'll 
endeavor to put them in shape." 

Would that we could report that afternoon's interviewiug, verba- 
tim, giving the exact language, the style, the gestures, etc. ; but we 
cannot do that, and must rest content by giving a general summary 
thereof. 

Uncle Charlie's first remembrance was of the pinkey fleet. Sixty 
years ago, he tells us, the whole of the fishing business of Gloucester 
was. with the exception of the Grand Bank fishing, carried on by 
means of these small and light craft. Their trips were seldom ex- 
tended to more than two or three days or a week, according to the 
success they might meet with. They were mostly occupied upon the 
fishing grounds in the vicinity of the Cape, sometimes running down 
along the coast of Maine, and occasionally dropping their lines upon 
Georges. These boats were from ten to twenty tons, with standing 
rooms or berths, for they had no rail or bulwarks above the deck, the 
only protection being a narrow waist about eight inches in height. 
They carried foresail and mainsail only, and were good sailers. The 
" cuddy," a small apartment forward, contained two berths, and a 
fireplace built of brick, just abaft the foremast. The chimney was 
made of wood and plastered on the inside to prevent its taking fire. 
Cooking-stoves were then unknown. 

Uncle Charlie recalled among the names of the Pinkey fleet, the 
following : " Lion," Capt. Simeon Burnham ; " Mary," Capt. James 
Marchant ; " Nabby," Capt. Epes Merchant ; " Heart of Oak," Capt. 
William Parkhurst ; " America," Capt. Nathaniel Merchant ; " Fin 
Back," Capt. Samuel Norwood ; " Sukey," Capt. Benjamin Parsons. 
There were also some three or four owned by the Wonsons, at East- 
ern Point, whose names he did not remember. These comprised the 
fleet from Pearce's wharf round to Rocky Neck. In addition to the 
above was the Harbor Cove fleet. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 73 

The fitting-out of the fleet for the haddock fishery commenced about 
the first of April. The first move was to run the boats on the beach, 
or landing as it was then called, and have them calked and graved. 
The latter process consisted in applying a coat of pitch to the bottom 
and burning it down with a tai'-barrel, which gave a smooth and 
glossy surface. Painted bottoms in those days were very rare. Af- 
ter this process had been gone through with the sails were bent, and 
then a suppl}^ of stores was taken on board, comprising the following 
articles : Two quarts of molasses, five pounds of fat pork, four 
pounds of flour, seven pounds of hard crackers, (baked b}' Capt. Cur- 
rier, or " Capt. Kier," as he was familiarly called,) half a barrel of 
water, and a little New England rum, which in those days was con- 
sidered both victuals and drink. This stock would last about a week. 
Some of the fishermen of the present day would rather grumble at 
such a bill of fare, but it answered the purpose very well, and they 
were perfectly contented with it. Another essential article on board 
was a box of tinder and a supply of home-made matches dipped in 
brimstone. The tinder was ignited b}' means of flint and steel, and 
by this they lighted the matches, — not a very agreeable job to per- 
form when it was rough, especially if one was a little " squeamish," 
as the smell of brimstone was almost sure to make a person " heave 
up." 

The time occupied in making a haddock trip was from two days to 
a week, the fish being mostly taken on Old Man's Pasture, Heart's 
Ground and Inner Bank, about twelve miles off of Eastern Point. 
The fish were taken to Charlestown for a market, and purchased by 
the hawkers — among whom were Johnny Harriden, Joe Smith, Isaac 
Hich and others, who took them over to Boston in hand-carts and re- 
tailed them at a good profit. The codfish were generally salted. The 
smallest were cured for the Bilboa market, and the largest were made 
into dun fish, as they were called, for home consumption. They were 
kept on the flakes several weeks, and thoroughly dried until they be- 
came of a reddish color, and were highly esteemed as an article ot 
food. The baking season commenced in July, and the pollock fishery 
was prosecuted from September to the middle of November. Each 
boat carried three men — skipper, forward hand and cook, who went 
at the halves, as it was called, the crew receiving one-half the gross 
stock, and the owners the balance. 

The full rig costume of "3'e ancient fishermen" would be regarded 
at the present day as something of a curiosity. It consisted gener- 
ally of the tarpaulin hat and monkey jacket, or guernsey frock ; the 



74 fishebjian's memorial and record book. 

barrel — a stout apron of leather, and the ponderous fishing boots, of 
astonishing breadth of beam, made of the thickest of russet cowhide, 
with tops made to turn up high over the knees, and though cumbrous 
and heavy,, constituted an efficient protection against cold and wet. 
Uncle Charlie recalled to mind the familiar forms and weather browned 
faces of many of these veteran sons of old ocean " whose march was 
on the mountain wave, whose home was on the deep." There were 
the Marshall Brothers, familiarly known as Tim and Bill ; Atkinson 
and Millett ; Abraham Wharf, Isaac Jeffs, Philip Priestlj^ John 
Truebody, and many others. 

Following the pinkey fleet, came a larger class of boats, of thirty 
tons and upwards. These boats at first were the same rig as the 
smaller class, and had no bulwarks or bowsprit. They had stanch- 
ions, rail, and a narrow strip above the waist about six inches wide, 
the rest of the space being left open, as it was then deemed unsafe to 
have bulwarks, the plan of having scuppers to let out the water not 
being adopted until several years afterwards. These boats subse- 
quently had their stems sawed off and were rigged with bowsprits, 
carrying foresail, mainsail and jib, and known as "jiggers." They 
were considered very large vessels at that time, and competent to 
make a voyage to any part of the world. 

' The first of the fleet of this class was the " President," twenty-eight 
tons, commanded by Capt. Simeon Burnham, and the " Union," twen- 
ty-four tons, Capt. Epes Merchant, which was subsequently taken by 
the privateer Rolla, but afterwards liberated. Then came the " Con- 
stitution," thirty-two tons, Capt. "William Parsons, which was the 
largest jigger of the fleet, — so large that it was feared she could not 
be worked out and in from the upper harbor cove, consequently she 
had to be moored off the harbor rock. The " Madison," twenty-seven 
tons, was commanded by Capt. William Parkhurst. She was a very 
fast sailer, and during war-time was purchased for a privateer, bring- 
ing in two prizes in one week. There were also several others, and 
it may be a matter of interest to state that the cost of building these 
boats was from sixteen to eighteen dollars per ton. Quite a differ- 
ence between then and now. These jiggers were furnished with a 
small fireplace and chimney, built of brick, in the cabin or " cuddy." 
The chimney came out flush with the deck, and upon that a square 
wooden box or funnel, which could be removed as occasion required. 
These little chimneys had a merit peculiarly their own. They were 
sure to carry smoke at all times, one way or the other — either upward 
or downward — and it was to this " habit of smoking," as Uncle Char- 



fishermen's memorial axd record book. 75 

lie aflSrmed, especially of the Grand Bankers, that they were indebted 
in those days for an occasional taste of the most delicious smoked 
halibut. The curing of halibut was not then, as now, a branch of the 
fishing business. Occasionally one would take the hook, and if it 
proved a particularly fine fish, the best cuts were taken off and sus- 
pended to the beams in the cabin, and by the end of the voyage would 
become thoroughly cured by the smoke, and being divided among the 
crew, were taken home to their families, for their own use, and given 
as very acceptable presents to friends. 

These little vessels from their extreme buoj'^ancy and their offer- 
ing so little resistance to the power of the ocean waves, would make 
comparatively good weather at times when large ships would be la- 
boring, plunging, and straining every plank and timber to its utmost 
capacity of endurance. They would mount almost upon even keel, 
upon the crest of the highest seas, and settle into the hollows with 
the ease and grace of a wild duck, and such a thing as " shipping a 
sea" was not thought of. 

The manner of mooring the boats in those days was peculiar. As 
there were but few wharves, -the fleet were kept moored in the harbor. 
The mooring consisted of a large flat stone, weighing from three to 
four tons, with a hole in the centre about eight inches in diameter, 
into which a straight white-oak butt, about seventeen feet long, was 
inserted, so that at high tide some three or four feet of the stump was 
visible above the water. Upon the stump was a " crab," made of a 
large log eighteen inches long, with a hole in the centre large enough 
for the stump to go through ; this played up and down, and was pre- 
vented from slipping off by means of a strong " fid." A piece of six- 
inch cable, about five fathoms long, was attached to the " crab," and 
on the other end an eye was spliced large enough to slip over the 
stem of the pinkey. This was kept afloat by means of a small buoy, 
so that when a boat was running in she would make for her mooring, 
and a man gaffed the buoy, slipped the collar over the stem, and the 
boat was safely moored. A few of these old mooring-stumps are now 
visible at low water in some of the coves, but most of them have dis- 
appeared. 

Of the square stern fleet he remembered the Accumulator, Dele- 
gate, Helen Marr, Forest, and Mount Vernon. They were full, 
square-bowed vessels, with short, chunky cutwaters, the head and 
trail boards being painted in bright chrome yellow, and occasionally 
one would secure an extra touch of gold leaf. The bottom was paint- 
ed green up to the bends, and the upper- works black, with a broad 



76 FISHEiaiEN'S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 

white streak on the waist, and some would have a yellow bead on the 
lower edge of the bends. This was considered rather an expensive 
luxury, and was rarely indulged in, as the fishermen of those days 
did not pay so much attention to ornamenting their vessels as do 
those of modern times. 

Next to this class of vessels came the half-clipper models, which 
were considered something extra, and the old fishermen wondered 
how people could be so foolish as to risk their lives in such vessels. 
There was the Ilosea Ballou, Daniel D. Smith, Henry Ilolbrook, and 
others which represented this class. They were very pretty looking 
crafts for those times, but at the present look almost as old style as 
those first mentioned. 

The first regular clipper craft owned here was the Romp. She 
was built in Essex, about the year 1850, as near as Uncle Charlie 
could remember, and purchased by Capt. Samuel Giles. On her ar- 
rival in this port she formed the general topic of conversation among 
the fishermen, some declaring that a crew could not be obtained to 
go in such a sea-coflin, and the man who built her must be insane. 
She would never come back to port if she went out, said some of the 
old veterans, as they went on board and gave her a thorough exami- 
nation. Notwithstanding all this croaking, the vessel was fitted and 
sailed for the Georges, proving not only an excellent sea-boat, but one 
of the fastest vessels in the fleet. The Romp proving such a supe- 
rior craft, others were built on her model, which was improved upon, 
and we now have a fleet of fishing vessels which are the very pictures 
of neatness and beaut}', so closely resembling yachts that some of the 
latest build are often taken for such, when they are skimming so 
gracefully over the water. 

Very pleasantly passed that summer afternoon, and we have en- 
deavored to tell what Uncle Charlie related ; but it lacks that pecul- 
iar spirit and zest which an old salt alone can impart, and which ren- 
dered the interview so very interesting to us. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 77 



Account of the First Trips to Georges after 
Halibut. 

It is claimed by a large majority of those interested in the fisher- 
ies, that the schooner Nautilus was the first vessel which ever ven- 
tured to Georges on a halibut trip. There are others who assert that 
the schooner Romeo is entitled to the claim of being the pioneer 
schooner in this branch of the fisheries. "We have made the most 
careful inquiries, and from one of the crew of the Nautilus we obtain 
the date of her sailing, and several interesting particulars of the trip. 
We could not obtain any date of the sailing of the Romeo, although 
we interviewed one of her crew. He felt confident that there was not 
many days' difierence in their time of sailing, and was rather inclined 
to the opinion that the Nautilus was the first. Our informant is pos- 
itive that he is correct in his dates, and as he is a man of undoubted 
veracity, and in the absence of any contradictory statements, we 
publish his narrative. The vessel was commanded by Capt. John 
Fletcher Wonson, recently deceased ; one of the most able and care- 
ful skippers among those of the olden time. 

In 1828, while coming home in the Nautilus, from Wilmington, N. 
C, he noticed on the chart used on board the vessel, a picture of a hali- 
but, under which was printed the words, " Good halibut grounds here." 
This he remembered, and, two years after, concluded to give halibut 
catching a trial. On the fifth of March, 1830, the vessel started out 
of the harbor on her trip for halibut. Among her crew was the fol- 
lowing persons, all of whom but the last named are now living : John 
W. Wonson, Nathan F. Wonson, Samuel G. Wonson, Daniel Doug- 
lass and Benjamin Marble. The result of this trip was twenty hali- 
but, which were landed, but met with a dull sale. The schooner 
Romeo, Capt. Henry Pew, sailed soon after, and brought in a trip of 
upwards of three thousand pounds, which were sold for three cents 
per pound. Other vessels soon followed, but the business did not 
amount to much until it had been prosecuted five or six years, when 
it began to assume considerable importance, and became established 
as a regular branch of the fisheries. 

This first trip of the Nautilus came very near being the last to one 



78 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

of her crew, Mr. Marble, and gave a little foretaste of the clangers 
accompanying the vocation. The vessel was lying to, the crew hav- 
ing succeeded in finding some halibut, when Mr. Marble launched 
the dory, and throwing over his anchor, commenced fishing by him- 
self. It was quite moderate, and the vessel, drifting with the cur- 
rent, was soon some distance oflF. This was thought nothing of 
in the excitement attending fishing, until one of the crew remarked 
that Marble was about out of sight, and he thought it queer that he 
didn't row for the vessel, especially as night was coming on and there 
were indications of a storm. All hands then began to tallc it over, 
and thought that something must have happened to him. A man was 
sent aloft to keep the dory in sight, and a little breeze springing up, 
the vessel was got underway and they succeeded in reaching him, 
just before the darkness and the storm came on. It seems that in 
the hurry of launching the dory he forgot the oars, and this account- 
ed for his not attempting to regain the vessel. There lay the oars on 
the vessel's deck, and not one on board had observed them. If they 
had, the mystery of Marble's not attempting to regain the vessel 
vrould soon have been solved. Soon after he had been picked up, the 
storm came on in all its fury, a regular Georges blow, with all the 
accompaniments, which would have proved certain death to any one 
exposed to its fury in a dory. 

There was quite a difference in the style of living on board the ves- 
sels in those days in comparison with that of to-day. Fish formed 
seventy-five per cent, of the food. Twenty-eight pounds of flour was 
the allowance for a trip, and twent3'-five pounds of beef and pork, 
with plenty of hard bread. A favorite dish was the " Dundee Pud- 
ding," made of hard bread, pounded up, sweetened with molasses, 
with some flour stirred in to give it a little of the adhesive quality. 
A very palatable dish it was when properly concocted. Hard bread, 
fried in pork fat, was another standing dish on the bill of fare. What 
would the fishermen of to-day say to this style of living, and how 
would they like to return to the days of 1830, when the first Geor- 
gesman passed out by Eastern Point, and returned with her fare of 
twentv halibut? 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 79 




Incidents of the Sale of September 8th, 1869. 

Ou the evening of September 8th, a most terrific gale sprang up, 
which, for a short time, was the most severe, on the Eastern coast, 
within the memory of some of our oldest fishermen. The weather in 
the early part of the afternoon was quite warm and pleasant, and no 
one ever dreamed of such a sudden change. At about half-past three 
o'clock the wind began to breeze up from the south-east, accompanied 
with rain, and, at half-past five, it had increased to a perfect hurri- 
cane, which for two hours raged fearfully. Vessels dragged their an- 
chors and were driven ashore, trees and chimnies were blown down, 
awnings ripped from their fastenings, windows blown in, and general 
destruction prevailed. Fortunately there were but few vessels at an- 
chor in the harbor at the time. In addition to the pilot-boat Young 
Raven, mentioned among the lost vessels, two Cape Cod fishing ves- 
sels, the "WiNSLOw, of Plymouth, and the Richard P. Higgins, of 
Wellfleet, also an Eastern coaster, came ashore on the beach, and 
were got off next day, having received but little damage. The life- 
boat was launched and did much service in saving the crews of the 
wrecked vessels. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to reach 
them, and it was finally deemed an utter impossibility, such was the 
fearful power of the sea. But just at this moment, Mr. Sylvanus 



80 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Hardy volunteered to take charge of her, and called for a crew. Ed- 
ward S. Jones, William Yates, William J. Fisdek, Peter Eagan, 
Peter H. Eaton and William Conners, promptly responded. They 
succeeded in reaching the vessels and saving several of the men, 
which deed justly entitles them to honorable mention. 

During the delay attendant upon the successful launching of the 
life-boat, it was evident by those on the beach that the men on board 
one of the vessels might be saved if a rope was got on board. But 
who would risk his life to carry the line ? There was danger in per- 
forming such a feat, especially if the person was not an expert swim- 
mer and possessed of strong powers of endurance. There was a 
pause for a moment among the men on the beach, when a voice rang 
out clearly, speaking the cheering words, " I will try it ! " It was 
Mr. Moses Merlett who uttered these inspiring words, and his ap- 
pearance betokened that he was in earnest and ready to risk his life 
to aid those on board the wrecked vessel. He was soon prepared for 
the perilous task, and plunged into the seething waters. The feat 
was attended with much danger ; but the noble fellow swam vigor- 
ously and persevered until he reached the vessel, and succeeded in 
rescuing three of the crew, who saved themselves by dropping into 
the life-boat from the rope. Such deeds are truly heroic — when men 
risk their lives in order to succor those in distress. 

Yacht Edith, owned by Mr. George O. Hovey, was caught out in 
this gale with a party on board, among whom were Mr. Hovey, Rev. 
Dr. S. K. Lothrop, and the Messrs. Appleton and Dale. Capt. 
George Sawyer, the pilot, was in command, and brought her to under 
Ten Pound Island, but subsequently concluded it best to run for her 
moorings at Fresh Water Cove, which were safely reached after much 
difficulty. The party had two alternatives before them, — to remain on 
board the yacht and run the risk of her going ashore, or to endeavor 
to effect a landing in the boat. They concluded to accept the latter, 
and after considerable exertion were safely landed. Shortly after, 
the 3'acht dragged her anchors and went ashore on Rattlesnake Head, 
and such was the force of the waves, that it was impossible to make 
any attempt to rescue Capt. Sawyer and his crew from their perilous 
situation until about nine o'clock in the evening, when Messrs. Isaac 
Morse, Daniel S. Parsons, Joseph W. B. Hillier and Ambrose 
Wise succeeded in reaching the wreck, and brought the men on shore. 
They were very nearly exhausted, and could not have survived but a 
short time longer. These men performed an heroic act, attended 
with great danger ; but they conquered every obstacle, displaying 



fishermen's memorial axd record book. 81 

great braveiy and coolness. The Mass. Humane Society remembered 
them with suitable testimonials of their appreciation of the gallant 
deed they had accomplished. The yacht was subsequently got off and 
repaired. 

During the gale ten of our fishing fleet were driven ashore along 
the coast, three of which proved total wrecks, and are enumerated in 
the list of that year's losses. Most of the others required large out- 
lays for repairs. 



Sea Fish and Fisheries. 

If the sea is prodigal of life to a degree that baffles our poAvers 
of conception and calculation, it is no less a scene of boundless de- 
struction. The life of all fishes is one of perpetual warfare, and the 
only law that pervades the great world of waters is that of the 
strongest, the swiftest and the most voracious. The carnage of the 
sea immeasurably exceeds even that which is permitted to perplex 
our reason on the earth. "We know, however, that without it the 
population of the ocean would soon become so immense that, vast as 
it is, it would not suffice for its multitudinous inhabitants. Few fish- 
es probably c^e a natural death, and some seem to have been created 
solely to devour others. There is probably none which does not feed 
on some other species or its own. Many of the monsters that roam 
the watery plains are provided with maws capable of engulfing thou- 
sands of their kind in a day. A hogshead of herrings has been 
taken out of the belly of a whale. A shark probably destroys tens 
of thousands in a year. Fifteen full sized herrings have been found 
in the stomach of a cod. If we allow a codfish only two herrings per 
day for only seven months in the year, we have 420 as his allowance 
during that period, and fifty codfish equal one fisherman in destruc- 
tive power. But the quantity of cod and of ling, which are as de- 
structive as cod, taken iu 1861, and registered by the Scotch fishery 
board was, say the commissioners, over 81,000 cwts. On an aver- 
age thirty codfish make one hundred weight of dried fish, and 2,400,- 
000 will equal 48,000 fishermen. In other words, the cod and ling 
caught on the Scotch coast in 1861, if they had been left in the water 
would have devoured as manj' herrings as were caught by all the fish- 
ermen of Scotland, and 6,000 more in the same year. Compared with 
the enormous consumption of fish by birds and by each other, the 
draughts made upon the population of the sea by man, with all his in- 
genious fishing devices seem to tlwindle into absolute insignificance. 



82 risnER:MEN's memorial a:sd recoiid book. 




Big Trips in the Bank, Georges, Mackerel and 
Haddock Fisheries. 

As a matter of interest and for general reference, we publish be- 
low some of the largest stocks made in the Grand Bank, Georges, 
Mackerel and Haddock fisheries, during the past ten years. These 
stocks, however, are exceptional, and not the rule. Fifteen hundred 
to two thousand dollars is considered a very good amount for a fresh 
halibut Bank trip, although stocks from two to three thousand dol- 
lars are not uncommon. Stocks from three to four thousand dollars 
are rare, and in but very few instances has a vessel exceeded $4,000. 
One vessel, onlj', has stocked rising $5,000. 

A Grand Banker averages about nine trips a year, and the trips 
vary from $8,000 to $17,000 ; $12,000 being about the average. It is 
not always the vessel which gets the largest number of halibut that 
makes the biggest stock. It all depends upon hitting the market right. 
The highest stocks realized have been on fares of from forty to fifty 
thousand pounds, while it is frequently the case that fares of from 
seventy-five to one hundred thousand, arriving when the market is a 
little glutted, realize less than $2,000 stock. 

The Grand Bank halibut fishery is of comparatively recent date. 
The first vessel from this port that went there for halibut, was the 
Hattie M. Lyons, Capt. George W. Miner, owned by Messrs. D. C. & 
H. Babson. She left here in May, 1865, and made her trip in four 



fishermen's memorial atstd record book. 83 

weeks, bringing in 75,000 pounds of halibut and 6,000 [ounds of 
codfish; her net stock amounting to $3,4G8, which was the largest 
stock up to that time ever made in a halibut trip. The following 
year several other vessels engaged in the business, and it soon be- 
came a prominent branch of the fisheries. 

BIG TRIPS IN THE BANK FISHERY. 

The largest stock made in a season's fishing to the Banks was that 
of schooner Racer, Capt. Walter Fait, in 18GG, amounting to $22,000. 
Capt. "Wm. Thompson, now master of schooner Alfred Walcn, was one 
of the Racer's crew that j'car, and was " high line," realizing $1,300 
as his share of the stock, — a pretty good year's work. 

Schooner Mary Carlisle, Capt. William Thompson, comes next on 
the list, having made nine trips to the Banks in 1871, and landed 
350,188 pounds of halibut, and 58,759 pounds of codfish, her net 
stock amounting to 817,275.53. She commenced the season Dec. 
27th, 1870, and arrived from her last trip Nov. 21st, '71, having been 
employed about eleven months. Iler crew numbered ten men, who 
shared $858. G2 each. The Mary Carlisle has been an unusually lucky 
vessel, Capt. Thompson having stocked in 18G9, 817,549; in 1870, 
$12,047; in 1871, $17,275.53; a total of $4G,871 in three years. 
Owned by the master, and Leighton & Co. 

Schooner Oliver Eldridge, Capt. Michael McDonald, in 1872, 
stocked $16,097.40 in eight trips to the Grand Banks. Owned by 
George Steele. 

Schooner Frank A. Williams, Capt. Dennis C. Murphey, the same 
year stocked $15,855.43. Owned b}' William C. Wonson and the 
master. 

The highest stock ever made in a single fresh halibut Bank trip 
■was that of schooner jST. II. Phillips, Capt. William McDonald, in 
1871. She weighed off 47,650 pounds of halibut, which brought 
$5,105, and 9,3 DO pounds codfish, which brought $256, making the 
total stock $5,361. Crew shared $213.42 each. Time occupied iu 
making the trip, five weeks. On her former trip she stocked $3,781, 
the crew sharing $150 each, making a total of $9,142 for both trips, 
made within nine weeks. Owned by Walen & Allen. 

Schooner Mary Carlisle, Capt. William Thompson, in 1871, brought 
in 58,553 pounds halibut, and 6,900 pounds codfish, her net stock 
amounting to $4,738.75. Crew shared $236.25 each. Time occupied 
in making the trip, thirtj'-four days. 

Schooner Sarah P. Ayer. Capt. J. Marsh Thurlow, in 1869, in a 



84 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

thirt5'-clays' trip to the Grand Banks, stocked $4,251, the crew shar- 
ing 8670 each. Capt. Thnrlow was very hicky that year, having 
stocked in five trips upwards of $12,000. Owned by Dennis & Ayer. 

Schooner Aphrodite, Capt. Randall McDonakl, in 1867, stocked 
84,126.72, having been absent only twenty days. Crew shared 
8171.51 each. Owned by Dennis & Ayer. 

Schooner William T. Merchant, Capt. Nelson McKenney, in 1868, 
stocked 84,200 on a fare of 48,310 pounds of halibut, the trip occu- 
pying twenty-six days. Owned by Shute & Merchant. 

Schooner C. B. Manning, Capt. Charles II. Nute, in 1869, stocked 
$4,033 on a fare of 40,000 pounds of halibut, and 14,000 pounds cod- 
fish. The trip was made in four weeks, the crew sharing $161.06 
each. Owned by Peter Sinclair. 

Schooner Elisha Crowell, Capt. Thompson, in 1870, brought in 
60,260 pounds halibut, having been absent less than four weeks, and 
Blocked 84,000. Crew shared $162.04 each. Owned by Walen & 
Allen. 

Schooner Peter D. Smith, Capt. Burnham, in 1871, stocked $3,928- 
.84 on a fare of 45,638 pounds halibut, the crew sharing $160.55 each. 
Cook, 8191.03. Time absent, five weeks. Owned by Smith & Oakes. 

Schooner Mary G. Dennis, Capt. Randall McDonald, in 1868, 
brought in 75,395 pounds halibut, and 9,950 pounds codfish, and 
stocked 83,604.85. Crew shared $143.85 each. Time absent, four 
weeks. This same schooner in 1872, weighed off 105,000 pounds 
halibut, the largest fare of fresh halibut ever landed at this port. 
Prices ruled low at the time, and she realized but $2,000 stock. 
Owned by Dennis & Ayer. 

The second largest fare of fresh halibut was brought in by schooner 
Montana, Capt. Moses "Welch, in 1868, who landed 95,773 pounds 
halibut, and 2,250 pounds codfish, her stock amounting to $3,265. 
Owned by Rowe & Jordan. 

LARGEST SALT FARES. 

The largest fare of fletched halibut ever landed at this port was 
that of schooner Caleb Eaton, Capt. John McQuinn, in the Greenland 
fishery, in 1870. She brought in 177,300 pounds of fletched halibut 
and 183 barrels of fins, which were purchased by Dodd, Tarr & Co., 
for nine and ten cents per pound, the fare amounting to $17,811. In 
addition to the above were several barrels of salmon, which were sold 
at a good price, and her entire stock amounted to about $20,000. 
Time occupied in making the trip, about four months. The Caleb 
Eaton is owned by Messrs. Brown & Seavy, of Boston. 



FISHEPtMEN's HIEMOEIAL AND EECORD BOOK. 85 

The largest salt fare from the Grand Bauks was brought in by 
schooner Reunion, Capt. Belcher Torrey, in 1868. She weighed off 
153,044 pounds halibut, and 23.875 pounds codfish, her net stock 
amounting to $8,854, The crew shared $286. G3 each. Time absent, 
twelve weeks. Chartered by D. C. & H. Babson. 

Schooner Carrie P. Morton, Capt. Charles A. Keene, in the season 
of 1873, weighed off 192,000 pounds codfish, and 28,050 pounds. hali- 
but, her net stock amounting to $7,888. Crew shared $326.16 each. 
Time absent, five months. Owned by Walen & Allen. 

Schooner Knight Templar, Capt. Michael McDonald, the present 
year, weighed off 85,000 pounds halibut, and 73,938 pounds codfish, 
her net stock amounting to $7,681.25. Considering the time occupied 
in making the trip, which was but two and a half months, this is the 
best Bank stock made. Owned by George Steele. 

Schooner Ben : Perle}^ Pooro, Capt. Charles H. Nute, in 1872, 
brought in 180,695 pounds codfish, and 10,597 pounds halibut, her 
stock amounting to $6,345.69. Crew shared $257.29 each. Time 
absent, fourteen weeks. Owned by Peter Sinclair. 

LAEGEST GEORGES TRIPS. 

In 1865, schooner Everett Steele, Capt. Cash, brought in 75,769 
pounds codfish, and stocked $2,824.55, the largest stock ever made 
in a single trip to Georges. The cook realized $184.04 as his share. 
A pretty good fortnight's work. Average share of crew $130. The 
following year, under command of Capt. Jus. Luudcrkin, she brought 
in 99,338 pounds fish, and stocked $2,738.95 ; and in 18C9, under com- 
mand of Capt. Jos. Goslin, weighed off 102,075 pounds (the largest; 
amount ever landed in one Georges trip), and stocked $2,760.69, the 
cook realizing $160 as his share ; average share, $125. The sevei'al 
trips occupied about a fortnight each. Owned b\' George Steele. 

Schooner Madame Roland, Capt. Lunderkin, in 1865, stocked 
$2,217.76 on her first trip to Georges, and $2,833.29 on her second, 
a total of $5,050,75 in two trips. Owned by George Steele. 

The same year, schooner Abby M. Heath, Capt. Lee, stocked 
$2,625 in a Georges trip, and schooner Witchcraft, $2,535. George 
II. Wixon, the steward of the latter, receiving $243.32 as his share 
of the trip ; the largest amount ever realized by one man in a single 
trip. Owned by the master and others. 

Schooner Morning Star, Capt. Ililtz, in 1866, stocked $2,400 on a 
Georges trip, and schooner William J. Raymond, Capt. Getchcll, in 
1873, stocked $2,347.12. Owned by Dennis & Aver. 



86 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Schooner William J. Dale, Capt. David A. Osier, in 1868, brought 
in 99,740 pounds codfish, and 2,512 pounds halibut. Her net stock 
amounting to $2,073, fish being low in price at that time. Owned 
by Dodd, Tarr & Co. 

The largest season's stock in the Georges fishery was made by 
schooner Laughing Water, Capt. Jos. Goslin, in 1865, her net stock in 
eleven trips amounting to $14,843.84. She also made one trip to the 
Bay the same season, her net stock for the year amounting to 
$17,954.30. The high line made $1,105.37, and the cook, $1,402.93. 
Owned by John Pew & Son. 

LARGEST MACKEREL STOCKS. 

The largest stQck made in the Bay of St. Lawrence mackerel fish- 
ery, was that of schooner Col. Ellsworth, Capt. George Robinson, in 
1865. She was absent about five months, her net stock amounting 
to $13,728. The high liner's share was $558 ; cook's, $582. Louis 
Wagner, the murderer, was one of the Ellsworth's crew that year. 
His share amounted to $307. Owned by Rowe & Jordan. 

Schooner Gen. Grant, Capt. Coas, in 1864, stocked, in two trips to 
the Bay of St. Lawrence, $11,254.94 clear of all expenses. The high 
line made $502.24 ; cook's share, $638.17. 

Schooner Nor'wester, Capt. Daniel Hillier, the same year, stocked 
$9,721.74, net, in one Bay trip ; the high liner making $308.60, and 
the cook, $486.61. Both vessels owned by John Pew & Son. 

Schooner General Sherman, Capt. George W. Miner, in 1864, in a 
three months' trip to the Bay, packed 612 barrels of maclierel, her 
net stock amounting to $9,696. High liner's share, $575.06. Owned 
by D. C. & H. Babson. 

Schooner Kit Carson, Capt, Horace Merry, in 1865, brought in 591 
barrels of mackerel, having been absent about ten weeks. Her net 
stock amounted to $6,542. High liner's share, $260. Owned by 
Rowe & Jordan. 

Schooner James G. Tarr, Capt. Robert Reeves, in 1866, stocked 
$5,824 in a nine weeks' trip to the Bay. Cook's share, $331.76. 
Owned by Dodd, Tarr & Co. 

Schooner Seddie C. Pyle, Capt. Richard Warren, in 1871, packed 
1,070 barrels mackerel caught off this shore, in addition to 18,000 
southern mackerel sold fresh in New York, in the spring. Her net 
stock for the year was $10,561.66. High liner's share, $491.38; 
cook's share, $708.52. Owned by George Friend & Co. 

Schooner Eureka, Capt. Rowe, in 1868, in six months mackereling 



fishermen's jviemorial and record book. 87 

off tliis shore, packed 935 barrels, her stock amounting to $10,748.33. 
High liner's share, $440.82 ; cook's share, $473.70. Owned by Smith 
& Gott, and the master. 

LARGEST HADDOCK STOCKS. 

The largest stock made in one day's fishing in the shore winter 
fishery, was that of schooner Eastern Queen, Capt. William Corliss, 
■who carried into Boston, March 3d, 1873, 25,000 pounds of haddock, 
and stocked $1,100. The Queen also made the largest stock of the 
season, having realized in five months' fishing $10,250 clear of all 
expenses. Crew shared $560 each. Owned by the master, and John 
Pew & Son. 

Schooner Jennie B. Thomas, Capt Henry B. Thomas, is second 
highest of the fleet, having stocked in the season of 1872-3, $8,000 
in five and a-half months' fishing. Crew shared $377 each. Owned 
by the master, and Joseph Friend. 

Schooner Augie S. Friend, Capt. McLain, in 1870-71, stocked 
$7,700 in five months' fishing. Owned by the master and Joseph 
Friend. 

Schooner Maud Muller, Capt. Nathaniel Smith, in 1871-2, stocked 
$6,600 in four months' fishing. Owned by Smith & Gott. 

Schooner Mary Odell, Capt. McLain, in November, 1872, stocked 
$1,260 on a haddock trip ; the result of three days' fishing. 



How the "Pinkey" Charles Weathered It. 

In the month of October, 1810, a tremendous gale and snow-storm 
was experienced along the Atlantic coast. It was remembered for 
years afterwards as the " October gale." At this time the fishermen 
who had been out were fortunate enough to make the harbor in good 
time, with the exception of one, the boat Charles, of about ten tons, 
manned by John Atkinson and Nathaniel Millet, which was missing, 
and given over by many as inevitably lost. A week or more after- 
ward one da3', when " the south wind blew softly," " pinkey " made 
her appearance, and ran into the harbor all right. The terrible north- 
easter was down upon them with its blinding snow ; they could not 
make Cape Ann, so they up helm and " let 'er rip " across the Bay, 
and after a pretty severe thrashing, made a harbor at Chatham. 



fishekjien's memorial and eecoud book. 



Loss of Two Eockport Schoonerc 




Thrilling Narrative of Mr. Charles Jordan^ Sole Survivor of the 
Crew of the Schooner Helen Eliza — Ilis Perilous Position and 
Wonderful Escape. 

The saddest disasters of the gale of September 8th, 1869, were the 
loss of scliooners Helen Eliza and Yankee Girl, of Rockport, with all 
onboard — twcntj'-three men, with one exception, Mr. Charles Jor- 
dan, whose narrow escape we publish in this connection. 

Schooner Helen Eliza went ashore at the south end of Peak's 
Island, Portland Harbor, and went to pieces in a short time. Had a 
crew of twelve men, as follows : Edward J. Millett, master ; Emer- 
son Colb}', David B. Harris, Frederic T. Lane, George Wood, Albert 
Tarr, Charles H. Clark, Benjamin Lurvey, Joel Fairbanks, James 
Bray, George W. Clark. Owned by Capt. Millett, and others, of 
Eockport. Frederic T. Lane belonged in Gloucester ; the remain- 
der in Rockport. 

Schooner Yankee Girl was probably sunk in this gale, as she was 
never heard of afterward. Had a crew of eleven men, as follows : 
Clifton Atwood, master; Horace Atwood (son of master). Freeman 
and Henry Abbott (brothers), Alfred Giles, Thomas Williams, 
David H. Elwell, all of Rockport ; James Cann and James Kellogg, 
of Rockland, Me ; Isaac Forrester, of East Boston, and one eastern 
man, name unknown. Owned by Capt. Atwood, William H. Brad- 
ley, Jr., and others. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 89 

The fact that out of a crew of twelve men belonging to the schooner 
Helen Eliza, of Rockport, but one man was saved, awakened a 
feeling of intense interest in this vicinity to learn the full particulars. 
In an interview with Mr. Jordan, the survivor, we obtained the fol- 
lowing thrilling incidents : — 

During the latter part of the forenoon of the 8th inst., the weather 
looked threatening, and Capt. Millett concluded to run into Portland 
harbor. The firet land made was Ram Island, about a mile outside 
of "White Head. During the latter part of the afternoon a thick fog 
set in, which was followed by a perfect deluge of rain, and the wind 
increased until it blew a regular hurricane. Both anchors were let 
go, but the cables parted, and the vessel was put under short sail. 
The gale increased fearfully, and the jib was blown clean out of the 
bolt-ropes. Saw Tortland Light, which they undertook to run for, 
but were too far to the eastward to strike the channel. There was no 
earthly help for them now ; with both anchors gone, the wind blowino- 
a hurricane, and a tremendous sea running, there was but little doubt 
that the vessel would go ashore at Peak's Island, and, in that event, 
the chances of being saved, in such a dangerous locality, were slim 
indeed. The prospect was a gloomy one, but the crew were undaunted, 
and resolved to do their best. Capt. Millett stood at his post of 
duty at the helm, to the very last moment, and in all probability 
received his death-blow from the main boom. 

After running some twenty minutes, the thumping of the vessel's 
bottom gave evidence that the critical time was near at hand. She 
did not stop in her course, but kept moving. Jordan went into the 
forecastle and stripped himself of everything but his shirt and pants 
for the coming trial. He had hardly done so when the vessel struck 
heavily, smashing in the bow, instantly killing five persons who were 
with him. He immediately ran into the hold, when a tremendous 
sea knocked off the deck and he was swept into the ragin"- waters. 
With a coolness and presence of mind hardly creditable, he seemed, 
as if by intuition, to at once realize his position, and, being an expert 
swimmer, made for the wreck, which he reached, and clinging to it 
regained his breath and got rested. Seeing an empty barrel floating 
near, he let go his hold of the wreck, and was fortunate enough to 
secure it. Placing his breast upon the head, be forced the empty 
portion under water. This served as a great support, and with it he 
attempted to effect a landing. 

The waves ran fearfully high, and as he was borne along he passed 
Geo. W. Clark and Benjamin Lurvey, two of his shipmates, who were 



90 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

clinging to a plank. If ever in his life he desired company, it was 
at this critical time ; but prudence whispered that he must not make 
himself known, for if he did the chances of escape of all three would 
be rendered far more hazardous. He heard them each speak of their 
fearful position, and doubting whether they should be able to hold 
on ; and the last words he heard them utter was a promise that if 
either was saved, they would tell the folks at home the full particu- 
lars. It now required his utmost efforts to keep the barrel in posi- 
tion, as the undertow was very powerful ; but he managed to do so, 
and soon saw a ledge of rocks. To effect a landing amid the surf as 
it beat against its sides, without being injured, was a dangerous task ; 
the waves at one time heaving him toward the ledge, then retreating,' 
would engulf him in their treacherous grasp., threatening ever}'- mo- 
ment to bury him beneath the water. But by the help of his barrel 
he succeeded, and inserting his fingers in the crevices of the rocks, 
commenced the toilsome passage up their jagged sides, reaching 
the top completely exhausted. While resting, he heard the voice of 
Clark, who was hailing some one. He answered the call, telling him 
where he was, and enjoining upon him to hold on and try to get upon 
the ledge. He did not hear him again, and probably the two men 
were instantly swallowed up in the undertow. He soon found that 
the ledge did not form a part of the island, but was covered at high 
water, and, as the tide was coming in, he knew that he was not yet 
out of danger. After a little time he again plunged into the seething 
waters ; another terrible conflict with the surf followed, in which it 
seemed impossible for him to make any headway, as his strength 
was fast failing. "Words are inadequate to describe such a situation ; 
moments seemed like hours, and the sullen roar of the waters as they 
beat upon the rocks was an awful accompaniment. He neared the 
shore, the dim outline of which he saw, and making one desperate 
effort, was fortunate in effecting a landing and in getting himself out 
of reach of the breakers. It was now about nine o'clock in the even- 
ing, and the exertions of the past two hours began to tell upon him 
fearfully, and he could scarcely lift one foot before the other ; but he 
persevered, and emerged into a pathway which led him to a house. 
It proved to be the residence of Mr. Smith Hadlock. The inmates 
were at once aroused, and were unremitting in their attentions, fur- 
nishing him with a suit of clothing, and doing everything in their 
power for his comfort. 

As soon as he had partaken of refreshments and got rested, he 
accompanied a party of men belonging on the island, in search for the 



FISHERMEN S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 



91 



bodies of his shipmates. Mr. Jones, landlord of the hotel on the 
island, was unremitting in his attentions, and secured for him a free 
passage home. The inhabitants of the island, mostly poor fishermen, 
made him up a purse of $18, and, while in the depot at Portland, $11 
was raised in his behalf. The Mayor of the city sought him out, and 
was also very kind. 

This was the third time that Mr. Jordan had been the sole survivor 
of disaster. Out of a company of eighty, confined in Libby prison 
during the war, he was the only one who lived to return home ; and 
out of a ship's crew of thirty men, wreclced on Cape Cod, he was the 
only one saved. 

It may be well to state in this connection that, after these remark- 
able escapes, his death was finally caused by accident. AVhile en- 
gaged as a draw-tender on the Boston & Maine Railroad, he fell from 
the bridge (during the early part of April, 1873), a distance of fifteen 
feet, to the platform below, and was so seriously rnjured that death 
ensued on Monday, April 21st. 




92 fishermen's memorial and record book. 



Fishermen's Superstitions— Remarkable Verification 
of Dreams — Presentiments. 

Fishermen, like seamen, ai-e quite apt to be a little superstitious, 
as the very nature of a seafaring life engenders this, and nearly 
every man who follows the avocation has. some pet ideas of this na- 
ture, which he cherishes with a sort of sacredness, which possesses to 
him a sense of reality, and becomes as it were a part of his life. 
Some are so superstitious, in regard to sailing on Frida3', that it would 
be next to an impossibility to get them to leave port on that day ; 
others have a favorite notion of pitching coppers and nickel coins on 
Half- Way Rock, whenever the vessel sails near enough to it, for this 
purpose, and entertain an idea that this will bring them good luck ou 
the trip. Then again there is an idea quite prevalent that, if a single 
bird should alight on board of a vessel, as they sometimes will, when 
blown far away from land, no good luck will come from the trip. So 
earnest are some in this respect that they have actuall^^ put back and 
changed the voyage. It would indeed be very singular if there were 
not instances where the change of programme has not resulted satis- 
factoril}', and these instances have strengthened the belief in the omen. 
Some believe in dreams, and are quite tenacious on the subject, and 
are never so happy as when they have a good dream of their own to 
relate, or some marvellous tale of the verification of dreams which 
they have read or heard tell of. Two instances of the remarkable 
verification of dreams on board vessels of the fleet have come under 
our notice, as follows : — 

THE SINKING OP SCHOONER SACHEM. 

The spi'inging aleak and loss of schooner Sachem, of this port, 
occasioned by her sinking on Georges, September 8th, 1871, was 
attended b}^ a singular circumstance, which is fully substantiated by 
the master of the vessel, Capt. J. "Weuzell, from whose log-book we 
gleaned the particulars : 

The vessel left Brown's Bank on the 7th of September, at nine 
o'clock P.M., for Georges, with a fresh N. W. breeze. At midnight, 
the steward, John Nelson, arose from his berth, and going aft, where 
the skipper was, remarked, in an agitated voice, his whole appearance 
indicating great fear : — 



fishermen's lilEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 93 

" Skipper, we are to have a severe gale of wind, or something else 
of a dangerous nature is going to overtake the vessel, and we had 
better make land if we can, or at least keep clear of Georges, so as 
not to have it so rough when the danger comes." 

Capt. W. asked him what made him think so, as everything was 
clear at the time, and there were no apprehensions of trouble or dan- 
ger. 

Nelson replied, " I have been dreaming, and twice before I have 
had the same kind of dreams when at sea, and both times have had 
narrow chances of being saved. The first time we were run into, the 
day following the dream, and left in a sinking condition. "With great 
efforts in bailing and pumping, we reached the coast of Norway. 
The other time we experienced a terrible gale, had our sails blown 
away, and the vessel half full of water ; run before it under bare poles, 
until we' met the northeast trade winds, when we patched her up and 
made out to get into Havana." 

He then told the purport of the dreams, which were of females 
dressed in white, either standing in the rain, or near a waterfall, or 
attempting to cross a brook. The figures in each dream were the 
same, but the surroundings somewhat diflTerent. 

The steward is a reliable man, and was so much in earnest that the 
captain, although seeing no signs of a gale of wind, and not inclined 
to be superstitious, concluded it best to be on his guard, and charged 
the man forward to keep a strict watch. 

The wind was now increasing, with a heavy sea rising, and at half 
past one A. M., the vessel was about five miles from Georges Banks. 
She was hove to under a close-reefed foresail, and they were furling 
the balance reef, when a white light was observed to leeward, sup- 
posed to be on board a fisherman lying at anchor. Suddenly one of 
the crew sang out from the forecastle, " The vessel is filling with wa- 
ter ! " Telling him not to alarm the men, the captain went down and 
found six inches of water on top the floor. The pumps were imme- 
diately manned, and bailing with buckets commenced, after which the 
captain went sounding around in the hold to find the leak, but the 
vessel was rolling so hard and the water made so much noise among 
the barrels and in the ice house, that it was impossible to hear any- 
thing else. It was thought the leak was under the port bow, and the 
vessel was wore round and hove to on the other tack, in hopes to 
bring the leak out of water. The steward was told to get some pro- 
visions and see that the boat was ready to launch at a moment's no- 
tice. It was now blowing a strong breeze from the northwai*d, with 



94 fishermen's MEMORIiVL AND RECORD BOOK. 

a heavy sea. They spoke schooner Pescador, and told them their 
condition. With all their pumping and bailing, they could not gain 
on the leak, and the crew were determined not to remain on board 
another night. The tide .swept them down to leeward of the Pesca- 
dor, and efforts were made to speak her again, but tbey could not 
reach her. Their movements were seen on board the Pescador, and 
upon asking them to send their boat to take them off, they did so at 
once. When they left the Sachem the water was eighteen inches 
above the forecastle floor. At 2 P. M., she rolled over on her side, 
raised herself once, then plunged under, head foremost, the master 
and crew feeling thankful to God that they had escaped and were 
safely on board the good schooner Pescador. 

A LITTLE CfflLD FOUND FLOATING IN A BOX. 

From Capt. Samuel Elwell, master of the schooner BelviUere, we 
learned the particulars of one of the most singular verifications of a 
dream which has ever come under our notice. 

On Sunday morning, July 21st, 1872, soon after breakfast, while 
the vessel was crossing Georges, Capt. Elwell, not feeling very well, 
concluded he would go down below and " turn in." This he did, and, 
after getting asleep, dreamed that he saw a dead body afloat on the 
water. All his efforts to secure it proved unavailing, and it finally 
passed under the counter of the vessel. His dream seemed so much 
like reality, and his efforts to secure the body, and disappointment in 
not being enabled to do so, caused him to awake, and, upon going on 
deck, found it impossible to convince himself that he had not actually 
witnessed the scene so vividly portrayed in the dream. It made such 
an impression upon him that he felt intuitively that something out of 
the common course would soon occur. The crew, noticing his great 
uneasiness, asked the cause, and he told them of the dream, and they 
endeavored to convince him that dreams were nothing but fancies of 
the tired brain, and tried to withdraw his mind from the subject ; but 
all of no avail. 

About half an hour after the captain had come on deck, he no- 
ticed a box some distance ahead, floating upon the water. Upon sail- 
ing up to it he made endeavors to get it on board, but it eluded his 
grasp, and went under the counter of the vessel. They sailed on, 
but the captain was uneasy, and finally gave orders to put about, and 
secure the box. This was done, and, upon .opening it, there was 
found the body of a little girl, about four years of age, who had ap- 
parently been dead some ten daj's. It was lying upon seaweed, 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 95 

■with which the box was packed, and there were holes bored in the 
sides, which indicated that it was the purpose of the perpetrator of 
the deed, to have it sink. The box was of coarse hard wood, nailed 
securely, and it was evidently made for the purpose. As decomposi- 
tion of the body had commenced, and the vessel was not to return 
for several days, it was nailed up and sunk. 

SINGULAR PRESENTIMENT. 

Leonard Mailman, one of the crew of schooner Vivace, of this port, 
died very suddenly, Aug. 31st, 1868, while the vessel was on Geor- 
ges, from an attack of bleeding at the lungs, and while attempting to 
get into his berth, fell back into the arms of one of his shipmates, and 
expired immediately. Previous to his making the trip he had strong 
presentiments that he never should return alive. This he communicated 
to several of his friends, who endeavored to laugh the matter off and 
get it out of his mind ; but it was of no avail. So strongly impressed 
was he of his approaching dissolution, that, just before leaving for 
Georges, he wrote a letter to his brother's wife, with imperative or- 
ders that it should not be opened until she saw him again. He was 
brought back a corpse, and, on opening the letter, it was found to con- 
tain full directions in reference to the disposal of his effects, and 
other matters connected therewith, all of which were faithfully com- 
plied with. 




96 fishermen's memoeial and kecoed book. 



Greenland and Iceland Halibut Fisheries. 

This branch of the fisheries was commenced, in 1870, hy Capt. John 
S. McQuinn, of East Gloucester, who fitted schooner Caleb Eaton, of 
Boston, for a summer trip upon the coast of Greenland, in pursuit of 
halibut. Capt. McQuinn made a successful vo5^age, and arrived home 
in October, after about four months' absence, the vessel making a 
stock of about $20,000. The success of the Eaton induced the fitting 
out of a fleet of six vessels in the business the next season (sum- 
mer of 1871), but the vessels met with a small catch, 5,500 quintals 
in all, and one vessel, the River Queen, was lost on the return trip 
with her crev/ of twelve men. Last year there were six vessels en- 
gaged in the business, meeting with excellent weather and a very fair 
catch, over 7,000 quintals in the aggregate, which brought good 
prices. This 3'ear four vessels are engaged in the Greenland fishery, 
schooners Aaron Burnham, 2d, William S. Baker, Caleb Eaton and 
Albert Clarence. 

This season, 1873, has witnessed the inauguration of another new 
branch, that of halibut-catching on the coast of Iceland. . Capt. 
McQuinn, who had been so successful in the Greenland fisher}^, con- 
sidered the chances on the coast of Iceland equally as good. The 
schooner Membrino Chief was fitted out for this business, and sailed 
from this port the 23d of May. They arrived on the fishing grounds 
on the 9th of June, but the weather was so unfavorable that they 
could not catch but six halibut and a few codfish. The vessel re- 
mained in Iceland waters five weeks, visiting various harbors and 
cruising on the fishing grounds whenever the weather would permit, 
but catching very few fish. Among the points visited on the coast 
were Underfiord, Patricksford, and Allevick, fishing villages, but 
Capt. McQuinn did not cruise as far east as Reikiavik, the capital, 
where the governor resides. The weather proving so stormy through 
the early part of July, affording such limited opportunities for fishing, 
that Capt. McQuinn determined to abandon the enterprise, and on 
July 11th set sail for home, which he safely reached on the 13th of 
August. The schooner William S. Baker, Capt. Albion Pearce, who 
sailed in company with the Membrino Chief, proceeded to Greenland, 
to make up a fare. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 97 

From what we can learn respecting the Iceland fishery, the trip of 
the Membrino Chief was made in the wrong season. It is said that 
two schools of fish, which afford the best fishing, frequent the coast 
each year, one arriving in April, and the other in September'; there- 
fore this trip was too late for one, and too early for the other. 

France employs quite a fleet in the cod-fishery on this coast, which 
usually make two trips in a season. The English, also, have a few 
vessels engaged in it, and the Danes, to whom the island belongs, 
prosecute a large and profitable fishing business. It only requires 
another trial on the part of the Yankee fishermen to learn the modus 
operandi, and we should not be at all surprised if some of our skip- 
pers yet make successful trips to Iceland. Why not? 



Estimated Product of the Fisheries of Gloucester 
for the Year 1872. 

384,000 quintals codfish, - - • - - - $2,01 6,000 

67,395 barrels mackerel, 781 825 

10,000 " herring, 45,000 

Other fish, 25,000 qtls., 87,500 

Shellfish, 20,000 

Fresh fish, 8,000,000 pounds, .... 250,000 

Oil, 225,000 gallons, 129,000 

Fresh herring, 2,540,000 pounds, - - - 125,000 

All others, 10,000 

Total, $3,414,325 



Tonnage. — The total tonnage of the District of Gloucester for 
the year ending June 30th, 1873, is 28,565.66 tons, an increase of 
16,982 tons over the previous year. The whole number of vessels 
is 517, employed as follows: six in the foreign trade; ninety in 
coasting ; four hundred and twenty in fishing ; and one yacht. 



98 



nSHEEMEN'S MEMORIAL AXD llLCLRD liOOJi. 



"^^^^^^^^Wa 




Remarkable Escapes of Schooners Onward and Seddie C. 
Pyle, on Georges — Loss of Schooners A, JR. Andrews 
and Mescue of her Crew — Lost in the Fog — Hes- 
cued from the Jaws of Death, 

On the night of August 2d, 1867, while the schooner Onward, Capt. 
Wilkes, was lying to on the western part of the bank, she shipped a 
heavy sea, which capsized her and carried away both masts, bowsprit 
and the upper-works, even with the deck. The man who was keeping 
watch stood in the companion-waj'-, and, seeing the sea coming, jumped 
below, pulling over the slide in season to keep the water from pour- 
ing into the cabin. It is supposed that she rolled completel}^ over, 
as, when she righted, part of the shrouds were under the keel, and 
floated on the opposite side. Some of the ballast also got shifted, 
and the fish were thrown underneath. Everj^thing movable in the 
cabin and forecastle was thrown about in the greatest confusion. 
The stove was pitched into the cook's berth, and he narrowly escaped 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 99 

being crushed. A barrel of flour in the hold was tossed into the 
middle of the forecastle, and there was a general stirring up. 
Luckily the vessel shipped but little water, and, the ballast being 
pretty thoroughly stanchioned down, she soon righted again. 

As soon as the gale had abated, the men proceeded to clear the 
wreck. The only articles left with which they could rig jury-masts, 
were the traveller, part of the topmast, and a small pole which had 
become entangled in the rigging alongside. These they soon rigged, 
and, taking their bed-clothing, improvised a suit of sails. Unfortu- 
nately the compass was found to be broken and useless ; but Capt. 
Wilkes contrived to repair it so as to make it answer the purpose, 
and with these rude facilities they shaped their course for home, the 
wind being fair. On the passage they were fallen in with by schooner 
Matchless, of Boston, who offered to take off the men, but they 
determined to stick by the vessel, as thei-e was plenty of provisions 
on board, and they were getting along very comfortably. On Satur- 
day morning, after a week's passage, they found themselves off 
Straitsmouth Island, where they spoke the Boston pilot boat No. 9, 
Cript. John Bruce, who kindly offered to tow them into Rockport, 
which offer they thankfully accepted. She was subsequently towed 
to this port by the steamer Charles Houghtou. Hundreds of people 
visited her, and she wa§ pronounced by all the most complete wreck 
that ever arrived at this port. 

Schooner Seddie C. Pjde, Capt. Richard Warren, was capsized in 
the gale of January 30th, 1870. She rode out the south-east gale 
handsomel}', when the wind suddenly changed to the north-west, caus- 
ing a heavy cross sea, one of which struck the schooner under the 
quarter, and, breaking against the mainsail, threw the vessel on her 
beam-ends. The crew saved themselves by clinging to the side of 
the vessel. Fortunately one of their number had a large jack-knife 
in his possession, by which the main shrouds were cut, when the 
mainmast broke off and she righted nearly full of water. The fore- 
mast was subsequently cut away, it having previously been broken 
off at the step, and did considerable damage to the forecastle and 
deck, before it could be cleared. The cable was then cut, and the 
crew proceeded to pump out the vessel, after which they rigged a 
jury-mast with the fore-boom, and, setting the jib and part of the 
foresail, steered to the westward. Having lost their fresh water, they 
were obliged to melt ice for a supply to drink, cooking their provis- 
ions in salt water. During the next eight days they encountered 
several vessels at different times, and set signals of distress to each, 



100 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

some of which were so near that their names were almost visible to 
those on the wreck ; but all passed without offering any assistance, 
until they fell in with the brig Almon Rowell, Capt. Atherton, who 
supplied the schooner with water, also quadrant, chart and epitome, 
and at the request of her master, took off five men of her crew, 
leaving five on board the vessel. The men taken off were landed at 
Holmes' Hole. 

After parting with the brig on the 7th inst., all hands were busily 
engaged in getting the vessel in the best running order possible 
under the circumstances. A jurj^-mast was made by tree-nailing 
some plank together, and part of the foresail taken for a mainsail, 
which put the vessel in better sailing condition. The}^ then run until 
eleven o'clock, with the wind N. W. by N., and it was judged they 
were twenty miles off Sandy Hook, which would have been reached 
if the wind had held, but a sudden change took place, the wind veer- 
ing round W. N. W., and at sundown it blew a terrific gale, accom- 
panied with heavy snow squalls. The vessel was hove to and the 
gale continued three days, blowing them off two hundred and forty- 
five miles S. S. E. from Sandy Hook. Barque Acacia was spoken on 
Friday, and assistance was declined. Had light wind from the south- 
east until five P. M., when it breezed up strong, and continued blow- 
ing until Sunday morning, February 13th. At noon they found by 
observation that they were in latitude 38.09, with fourteen fathoms of 
water. At one P. M. schooner Emily A. Bartle, of Philadelphia, was 
spoken with, and, not wishing to be blown off again, signals of dis- 
tress were set, which were promptly recognized, and they were towed 
into Maurice River, N. J. The names of the men who stood b}^ the 
vessel and brought her safely to port, were Richard Warren (master), 
George "W. Dexter, AVilliam Martin, Joseph Carter and John Shrader. 
They are well deserving of credit in thus risking their lives to save 
property. 

Schooner A. R. Andrews, Capt. Maker, broke adrift on Georges, 
during the gale on Saturday night, March 6th, 1869, and was knocked 
down by a heavy sea. Her masts breaking off, she subsequently 
righted, and fortunately none of the crew were lost. Without any 
sail to steady her, she was driven before the tempest, the sea often 
making a clean breach over her, while the crew had to lash them- 
selves in the most sheltered portions of the wreck to avoid being 
washed away. In this deplorable condition, the brig Como, Capt. 
Williams, from Messina for New York, fell in with them, and, after 
great exertions on the part of her crew, succeeded in sa\iug the 



fisheemen's memorial and record book. 101 

sufferers. They were blanched and frozen, with barely vitality 
enough to revive. 

Schooner Charles Haskell had a very narrow escape from founder- 
ing. On Saturday night, during the same gale, dragged her anchors 
and was obliged to cut. While under sail, endeavoring to get clear 
of the fleet, came into collision with another vessel, staving her bow- 
sprit completely through her, breaking it off, carrying away her head 
gear; then rising on a wave, struck her again, and it is supposed 
that she foundered, and all on board perished. The Haskell returned 
to port, and her disabled condition gave some idea of the violence 
of the shock. This is the only instance known where two vessels 
have collided on Georges and one has escaped foundering. 

The gale of March 13th, 1870, proved quite severe on Georges, 
and the schooner Austerlitz, of this port, was so badly disabled that 
it became necessary to abandon her on the Banks. On Sunday night, 
about eleven o'clock, she was boarded by a heavy sea, when the cable 
parted, and the schooner falling suddenly astern, brought so great a 
strain on the rudder as to break the braces, and it was forced up 
through the arch-board, badly damaging the stern, and causing the 
water to pour in rapidly, when the vessel settled into the sea. No 
time was to be lost, as the schooner was fast filling, and the crew 
went speedily to work and shifted the fish forward to lighten her aft 
as much as possible. The bulk-head in the cabin was then cut away 
to get at the leak, and all the bed-clothing stuffed into the apertures, 
which checked the flow of water considerably. B3' active work at the 
pumps the vessel was kept afloat until morning, when the schooner 
Eiverdale was spoken, and, on learning their condition, took off the 
crew. 

John Maynard, of New London, and William Corthell, of Lj'me, 
Conn., of schooner Gilson Carman, left that vessel on Georges, March 
17th, 1869, in a dory, to haul their trawls, and, while doing so, a very 
heavy thunder squall sprang up, driving them from the Banks. They 
had at the time several halibut, and from sixty to seventy codfish, 
which they had to throw overboard, with the exception of one, which 
they retained to eat. After eating a little, it made them sick, and 
they were obliged to throw it away. On Thursday night they saw a 
vessel, but were unable to attract her attention ; were drifting about 
all day Friday and Friday night, without anything to eat. On Sat- 
urday morning a duck lit in the vicinity of the boat, which they man- 
aged to kill, and ate it raw. On Saturday night, when they had nearly 
given up the idea of being saved, they made a light a few miles 



102 fisheemen's memorial and record book. 

ahead. They immediately pulled for it, when it proved to be the 
schooner Henry Claj-, of this port. During the time they were in the 
boat they had a steady storm of rain and snow, and were frequently 
capsized, but with the aid of a bucket they managed to keep the boat 
clear of water. Corthell had his feet badly frozen. Mr. Maynard's 
arm was badly chafed and swollen, and both suffered greatl}'. 

Lewis and Thomas Suratt, two of the crew of schooner Joseph 
Chandler, of this port, left the vessel February 27th, 1870, to visit 
their trawls, when, a heavy breeze springing up, they were unable to 
return. The wind increased to a gale, and for twent^'-four hours 
they were exposed to its full fury, narrowly escaping a watery grave. 
Thomas was once washed overboard, but his brother succeeded in get- 
ting him into the dory again, and they had about given up all hopes 
of being rescued, when they fortunately fell in with schooner M. L. 
Wetherell, of this port, Capt. Norwood, who took them on board and 
kindly cared for them. They were well-nigh exhausted, and could 
have survived but a short time longer. 

Two of the crew of schooner Robert Bruce, of this port, E. S. 
Johnson and Thomas Anderson, left the vessel on the Banks in a 
dory. May 3d, 1872, to attend their trawls. A thick fog set in shortly 
afterwards, and, losing sight of the vessel, they anchored their dory, 
in hopes of regaining the schooner the following da3\ The wind 
continued to increase, and about midnight the anchor line parted, 
when they determined to run to Seal Island, about fifty miles distant, 
it being the nearest land. Fortunately they had a small pocket com- 
pass, by the use of which they were able to keep the right course, 
and on Sunday morning they reached Seal Island, after forty-eight 
hours' exertion at the oars, without any kind of nourishment, having 
tasted neither food nor water since they left the schooner. "When 
they landed they were nearly exhausted, but were kindly and hos- 
pitably treated by Mr. Benjamin R. Kitchens, a resident of the island, 
of whom they spoke in terms of warmest gratitude. After resting 
for twenty-four hours, they started in their dory for Yarmouth, N. S., 
about thirty miles distant, where they arrived at noon. They had a 
very hard time of it, and, had they not been pretty plucky fellows, 
never would have reached home again. 

Mr. James Dann, one of the crew of schooner Lottie F. Babson, 
had a very narrow escape from being lost overboard during the gale 
of March, 1870, while returning from Georges. He was on the boom, 
engaged in reefing the mainsail, when he lost his foothold, but fortu- 
nately in falling managed to grasp one of the reef-points, to which 



fisheoien's memorial and record book. 103 

he held on until rescued from his perilous position by those on board. 
Had he foUen overboard, no earthly power could have saved hira from 
drowning, as it was blowing a living gale at the time. 

Eichard Powers and George Welch, two of the crew of schooner 
J. S. Sanborn, of this port, left the vessel in a dory, June 16th, 1865, 
to visit their trawls, and, a thick fog coming on, they were unable to 
find the vessel. Every exertion was made by those on board to find 
the missing men, but all to no purpose, and she returned to port with- 
out them. They were subsequently picked up by an English vessel, 
bound to Pictou, from which port they arrived home in due season. 

The fishing boat Garibaldi, Capt. George AY. Morgan, of Lanes- 
ville, engaged in the shore fishery, was caught in the gale of Tuesday, 
March 11th, 1872, off Ipswich, while attending to the trawls, and, 
being unable to carry sail, was soon driven ashore on Ipswich Bar, 
and sunk within two minutes after striking. Capt. Morgan had with 
him his partner, Mr. Levi Lane, and their only hope of escape was 
by clinging to the mast until assistance came. Here they succeeded, 
after much efibrt, in lashing themselves for their long and perilous 
watch through the night tbat was coming on, if indeed they should 
live to pass that watch. Cold, benumbed and wet, with only a faint 
hope of holding out, the long hours of the night passed wearily. 
At midnight they saw the keeper of the Ipswich light go and return 
from his duties ; yet no help came. It now 1)ecame a question of 
endurance. Capt. Morgan, becoming so thoroughly wet and be- 
numbed, began to show signs of exhaustion, and must soon have 
perished. At length morning dawned, when the daughter of the 
lighthouse-keeper, Miss Susie Ellsworth, having, as it were provi- 
dentially, risen earlier than usual that morning, saw the men clinginfr 
to the mast of their sunken boat. She immediately informed her 
father, who mustered a crew and went to their rescue in the life-boat. 
The men were taken to the house of Mr. Ellsworth, where they were 
very kindly cared for. 

Two of the crew of schooner Lewis, of Marblehead, William Ward 
and Lawrence Mulcahy, left their vessels on the third of July, 1873, 
to visit their trawl, and, a thick fog setting in, they were unable to 
regain her. The schooner subsequently returned to port, and the 
men were given up as lost. The men stated that for five days the fog 
was so dense it was impossible to see but a very small distance around 
them. They made every eflbrt to regain the vessel, but without suc- 
cess. They frequently heard the whistles of steamers, but never saw 
one ; and their sufferings for the want of food and drink were most 



104 FISHEEMEN'S MEMORIAIi AND RECOED BOOK. 

excruciating. On the fifth day they were about to give up in despair, 
Tvhen the fog lifted, and, to their joy, they descried a vessel in the 
distance. This gave them new courage, and, determining to make 
one more effort for their life, they rowed for the schooner and soon 
succeeded in making themselves seen. The schooner proved to be 
the William A. Pew, of this port, and a boat was soon sent to their 
assistance. They were taken on board in a very exhausted condition, 
but, with careful nursing and kind attention from the captain and 
crew, they were soon on the mending hand. When they arrived at 
Marblehead they were welcomed by their friends as those only could 
be who had been given up for dead. 

The Pinkey Nautilus, of Eockport, was about thirty miles above 
East Point during the afternoon of October 3d, 1851, on which the 
terrible gale occurred in the Bay of St. Lawrence, and skipper Pool, 
not liking the looks of the horizon, told his men a tornado or hurri- 
cane was near at hand, and he determined to get the vessel into East 
Point, if possible. Shortly after starting, the blow came on, and it 
was indeed terrible. The wind fairly howled, so that it was almost 
impossible to stand on deck, or to hear a person next to you, let him 
scream at the top of his voice. The sails were close-reefed, and on 
the gallant little pinkey sped, like a racer over the course. She 
reached the bar, and it was feared there was not water enough for her 
to go over. To remain where they were was certain destruction, and 
the angry roar of the breakers, as they broke mast-high, was enough 
to appall the stoutest heart. Only one thing was now left for them, 
and that was to drive the vessel over the bar. It was a dangerous 
experiment, and the chances were as ten to one of its proving suc- 
cessful. The old skipper gave the order to let out the reefs, which 
was done ; then right before it she drove, among the swirling, yeasty 
waters. Sometimes the craft was almost perpendicular, then she 
would thump, and touch ; but still she kept moving, and those on 
board watched with bated breath, expecting every moment would 
witness the destruction of their vessel. It was a trying time ; indeed, 
but imagine their delight, when the bar was passed, and the Nautilus 
was brought safely to anchor, her danger over, and her crew saved ! 
Mr. James G. Tarr was one of her crew, and to him are we indebted 
for the incident. 



fishermen's memorial and record book 105 



The Pirate Tacony's Eaid upon the Fishermen. 

The town was thrown into a most intense excitement on the morn- 
ing of "Wednesday, June 24th, 1863, by the announcement that sev- 
eral of the fishing fleet had been burned by a rebel pirate. The news 
was brought by the schooner Cadet, Capt. Williams, who arrived 
Tuesday night, having narrowly escaped being captured. He reported 
that on Monday, while at anchor in the South Channel, he saw a 
barque bearing down toward them. Having suspicions that she was 
one of the rebel piratical crafts which had been reported as cruisin"- 
along the coast, he immediately hove up anchor, and there being a 
light wind, got his boats out and commenced towing her. While 
engaged in this, they saw several boats put off from the barque and 
board four other fishing vessels which were at anchor. A thick fo*^ 
then shut them from sight, which gave Capt. Williams an opportunity 
to escape ; a good breeze also sprang up, which greatly favored him, 
and he made the best use of these favorable auspices. That night he 
saw the light of four burning vessels, and while rejoicing at his own 
escape, his heart was full of sympathy for those of his comrades who 
had thus Lost their vessels. 

A director's meeting of the Cape Ann Mutual Fishing Insurance 
Company was called Wednesday morning, for the purpose of devising 
some means for the protection of the fishing fleet. A committee of 
three, consisting of Messrs. Joseph O. Procter, Capt. Sylvester Cun- 
ningham and Epcs W. Merchant, were chosen to visit Boston and 
have an interview with Governor Andrew, who advised them to tele- 
graph to Washington, which they did. Subsequently they visited the 
Navy Yard at Charlestown, and were informed by the Commodore 
that all the available vessels were on duty; but he would do all. in 
his power to secure suitable vessels to be sent in search of the Tacony, 
and for the protection of the fishing fleet. Another spirited meeting 
was held in the evening, and a committee comprising Capt. Gorham 
P. Low, Joseph O. Procter and Benjamin H. Corliss, were appointed 
to serve as a committee to visit Washington and present a memorial 
asking for two small steamers to be commissioned for special service ; 
one to cruise from Cape Sable to Cape Canso, and the other in the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence, for the protection of the fishing fleet during 
the season. 



106 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

The statement of Capt. Henderson, of schooner Marengo, is a fair 
example of how the fishermen were treated, which is, in substance, as 
follows : 

On Monday morning at 7 o'clock, while all hands were engaged in 
fishing, saw a barque standing to the northwest ; when she bore south- 
west from us she wore ship. A thick fog setting in caused us to lose 
sight of her, and we thought she was a merchantman bound in. 
Soon after, we were boarded by a boat's crew consisting of a lieu- 
tenant and nine men. Capt. II. went to the leeward to take the 
painter, and while making the boat fast the lieutenant jumped on 
board and grasping him by the back, exclaimed, " You are all prison- 
ers to the Southern Confederacy ! " and, drawing his revolver, shouted 
loudly, " that if any resistance was made, he would shoot them on 
the spot." Ten minutes was allowed the crew to pick up their 
clothing, then they were conveyed on board the barque, when the 
Marengo was set on fire, and the fishermen gave a last look at the 
craft which had carried them safely through the summer's breezes in 
the mackerel fishery, and winter's gales on Georges. But there 
was no remedy, they were at the mercy of their captors, and any show 
of feeling on their part would have only resulted in making their sit- 
uation the more unpleasant. 

While on board the Tacony three others of the fishermen were 
burnt and their crews brought on board the barque, where they were 
all uniformly well treated. Capt. Henderson was invited into the 
cabin to supper, and the captain of the barque used him very kindly, 
ofi"ering him a lieutenant's commission if he would join the Con- 
federate service. This of course was refused, as the patriotism of 
the New England fishermen during all the trying jlays of the rebel- 
lion was as firm as the rocks which form their rugged coast, and true 
to country were the hearts which beat in their manly bosoms. 

On board the barque there were in addition to the crews of the fish- 
ermen, those of four ships which the Tacony had burned during the 
preceding fortnight, and as thoy were cramped for accommodations, 
the captain concluded to liberate the schooner Florence under bond, 
and send her to New York with the captured men. They were all 
put under oath not to fight against the Southern Confederacy, and 
with this parol were allowed to embark. The Florence spoke with 
the schooner Western Light, of Wellfleet, off Gayhead, and she took 
all the Gloucester men, landing them at Hyannis, where they were 
kindly received and forwarded home. 

Schooners Thos. Woodward, commanded by Capt. Johnll. Welch; 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 107 

J. G. Curtis, by Capt. Thomas E. Newcombe, and William S. Baker, 
by Capt. Albion K. Pearce, manned by our hardy fishermen, were at 
once fitted out and put into commission, to cruise in search of rebel 
pirates on our coast ; but they had taken the alarm, and six vessels, 
as recorded in the year's losses, was the extent of the depredations 
upon the fishing fleet. 



A Valuable Branch of Industry. 

The fisheries have always been regarded as a valuable branch of 
the industry of New England. From the early records of the Com- 
pany of Massachusetts Bay, we learn that our fishermen were among 
the few classes of persons who were exempted from the performance of 
military duty. So important were the fisheries considered in old 
colonial times, that, in negotiating for peace with the mother country, 
Massachusetts desired no peace unless it secured to the United States 
the freedom of the fishing grounds. 

As an evidence of this sentiment, the carved codfish was conspicu- 
ously placed on the walls of the State House ; which remained there 
until a very recent period, and may still, for aught we know, adorn 
the Capitol at Boston ; not, perhaps, so much as a work of art, sim- 
ply, but as a revolutionary memento, serving to remind the assembled 
wisdom of the Commonwealth, annually, of the self-sacrificing and 
determined spirit of their predecessors. 



108 fishermen's JIEMOKIAIi AND RECORD BOOK. 



Recapture of Schooner E. A. Horton from the Cus- 
tody of the Dominion Government — A Daring 
Act by a Yankee Skipper and his Crew. 

The seizure of American fishing vessels by the oflBcers of the Do- 
minion Government, for alleged violation of the old treaty which 
restricted our fishermen from pursuing their calling within an imagi- 
nary three-mile line from the Canadian shores, caused a vast amount 
of ill-feeling daring the seasons of 1870-71, and '72, as well as in 
previous years, when attempts were made to enforce it. The annoy- 
ances which the oflScers of the Dominion cutters heaped upon unarmed 
fishermen, and the flimsy pretexts under cloak of which they would 
seize the vessels, was a disgrace to any nation making any pretensions 
to civilization, and the apathy with which our government witnessed 
these dastardly insults to loyal subjects, was equally disgraceful on 
the part of those in authority. 

Schooner E. A. Ilorton was seized about the first of September, 
1871, and taken into Guysboro', there to await the decision of the 
Court. Her owners, Messrs. McKenzie, Knowlton & Co., had been 
subjected to great inconvenience and expense by the unfriendly Cana- 
dians, who captured one of their vessels the year previous, and find- 
ing that there was no chance for redress before the Dominion courts, 
they determined to depend upon themselves and take possession of 
their property wherever found. To this end Capt, Harvey Knowlton, 
Jr., one of her owners, left town Sept. 20th, and arrived at Man- 
chester, four miles below Guysboro', Sept. 27th, and in order to get an 
opportunity to fully develop his plans, and to disarm suspicion, went ' 
to mining, and obtained several specimens of gold quartz. After four 
days at this occupation, he took his specimens and went to Canso. 
Here he worked very quietly and secured the services of six American 
fishermen, viz. : Daniel Richards, John Penney, Charles Webber, D. 
Isaac, Malcom McCloud, and Peter Gillis, who cheerfully volunteered 
in the enterprise. October 3d, Capt. Knowlton and his men left 
Canso and travelled through the woods, a distance of eighteen miles, 
to Guysboro'. This occupied the entire da}^, as they were often 
obliged to hide themselves in order to escape observation. Arriving 



fisherjien's memorial and record book. 109 

in Guysboro' after dark, they concealed themselves in a barn, having 
taken the precaution to procure a good stock of provisions. Capt. 
Knowlton kept himself constantly disguised, and employed his time 
in reconnoitering around the town, visiting the wharf where the vessel 
was moored, sounding the channel, and in obtaining such other infor- 
mation as he would require when the moment for action arrived. He 
Ibund that the officials were so sure of their prey that they had no 
keepers on board of the vessel ; but she was stripped of sails, rigging, 
etc. The captain made good use of his eyes and ears during 
his stay in town, and found where these appurtenances were stored. 
His men kept very quiet in the barn and were not observed by any 
one. They were, however, as might be expected, impatient for action. 
Sunday, October 8th, was the time set for the recapture of the 
vessel. At half-past nine o'clock it was bright starlight, with a fa- 
vorable northwest breeze blowing. The captain and his men left their 
hiding place and boldly walked into Guysboro', a distance of six 
miles, and were fortunate enough not to meet any person on their way. 
They arrived at the centre of the town just as the clock on the church 
steeple pealed forth the hour of eleven. Observing some lights yet 
burning in the houses, they waited patiently until these were extin- 
guished, and then proceeded to the wharf. They were not long in 
putting themselves inside of the building which contained the Hor- 
ton's sails, rigging, etc. These they took charge of and soon had 
them on board the vessel. Finding they had made some mistake in 
the sails, having got some belonging to another vessel, they were 
obliged to return them, which caused a vexatious delay. It could 
not be helped, however. The vessel was aground, but the tide was 
coming in ; her sails and rigging were quickly bent, and all was ready 
for starting at one o'clock. The suspense was terrible, as the appear- 
ance of any person on the wharf, to raise an alarm, would defeat the 
entire plan. Fortune favors the brave, however, and it would have 
been a big fight if the captain and his men had been opposed at this 
point of their proceedings. All was ready, but it was found that the 
craft was yet aground. Time was precious now ! A warp was got 
out and the vessel was hove astern. At half-past two the joyful 
fact that she floated, became apparent. All was still. Not a word 
had been uttered, nor an unnecessary sound made during all these 
preparations. Sail was put on her, and with Capt. Knowlton at the 
helm, the saucy little craft filled away, and showed a " clean pair of 
heels " as she passed out of the harbor, at liberty, and released from 
the hands of a government which has made itself particularly obnox- 



110 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

ious to all civilized communities. The surprise of those having the 
Horton in charge, as well as the good citizens of Guysboro', when they 
awoke on that eventful Monday morning and found that Yankee fish- 
ermen had been at work while they slept, and had taken possession 
of this captured fishing vessel, can be imagined better than described. 

It was apprehended that pursuit would at once be made, but the 
captain had made his calculations to elude it. At daylight the ves- 
sel was outside of Little Canso, and her coui'se wa^ shaped S. S. "W. 
in order to obtain a good ofl3ng. There was a fresh breeze from the 
N. N. W., and b}' sundown she was many miles outside of land, with 
her course shaped for the northern edge of the Gulf Stream. There 
was plenty of water and provisions on board, as the vessel had been 
refitted only two days before being taken by the cutter. This was 
not known for a certainty, but had to be risked, and fortunate indeed 
was it that the ofllcials had not removed these important sinews of 
war. The southwesterly course was pursued until the 11th, when a 
severe easterly gale was encountered, in which the vessel's foresail 
was badly damaged. Saw one steamer on the third day out, did not 
speak any vessels, but was continually anxious for fear of being re- 
captured. The captain had made up his mind that the vessel should 
not be retaken, and in case an English cruiser molested them, prep- 
arations were all ready to burn the Horton. The course was contin- 
ued across the southeast part of Georges Banks, and then direct for 
Cape Ann, the vessel arriving Wednesday evening, October 18th. 

The passage was made without any charts or nautical instruments, 
with the exception of the compass, the captain relying entirely on his 
own judgment in shaping his course. 

EXCITEMENT PREVIOUS TO HER ARRIVAL. 

The Monday previous to the Iloi'ton's arrival, a rumor prevailed 
here in town that an English war steamer was cruising in the bay, 
for the purpose of intercepting and capturing the fugitive schooner. 
But very few credited such a sensational rumor, but as there was a 
probability that such might be the case, Collector Fitz J. Babson took 
immediate measures to insure protection to the Horton in case she 
should be waylaid. He at once corresponded with Collector Russell, 
of the Boston Custom House, and suggested that an American gov- 
ernment vessel be sent to watch the movements of the Englishman, 
and prevent any outrage in our waters. He also telegraphed to Port- 
land to secure the services of the cutter McCulloch. In the after- 
noon, during the absence of Collector Babson in Boston, on business 



fisherjien's memorial and record book. Ill 

connected with the department, B. II. Smith, Esq., Surveyor of the 
District, telegraphed to the commandant of the Charlestown Navy 
Yard, for a gunboat, and received reply that a vessel would at once 
be sent to the assistance of the Ilorton. During the evening the 
supply steamer Fortune, armed with two howitzers, arrived here from 
the Navy Yard, and started in search of the supposed cruiser, taking 
Mr. Robert McKenzie, one of the owners of the schooner, and Capt. 
Robert Tarr, who was specially authorized by Collector Babson to 
take charge of the Ilorton if they fell in with her, in the name of the 
United States, and hold her as a derelict vessel, being found without 
papers, ai^d bring her into port. The Fortune, after cruising all night 
and Tuesday forenoon, returned, having failed to obtain any infor- 
mation in regard to the cruiser. Her place was supplied by the steamer 
Ley den, which cruised in the bay on "Wednesday, in search of the 
Horton. 

Early on Tuesday morning, the cutter Mahoning arrived here from 
Boston, accompanied by the revenue tug Hamlin, and both vessels 
proceeded in search of the Horton, with instructions to allow no ves- 
sel to interfere with her, but to bring her into port at any hazard. 
Collector Babson also received a dispatch from the Collector at Port- 
land, stating that the cutter McCulloch had sailed in search of the 
vessel. But nothing was seen of either English steamer or the Yan- 
kee fishing schooner, whose arrival was looked forward to with the 
most intense anxiety, not only by our people, but all along the New 
England coast. 

ARRIVAL OF THE HORTON HER RECEPTION DEMONSTRATIONS OF JOY. 

On Wednesday evening about half-past seven o'clock, the booming 
of cannon at Rocky Neck .announced that the Horton had arrived. 
The news quickly spread through the town, and there was general re- 
joicing. Guns were fired, the bells were rung, and Young America 
paraded the streets with drums, horns and torch-lights, firing pistols, 
and having a general jollification, which was kept up till midnight. 
Large crowds of people wended their way to Rocky Neck during the 
evening, and Capt. Knowltou and his brave crew were heartily con- 
gratulated upon the success of their bold undertaking. The fishing 
owners were joyful over the event, while the fishermen gave vent to 
their delight in the most enthusiastic manner. Interviewers for the 
press were numerous, and dispatches, as per agreement, were imme- 
diately sent from the Advertise}- office to the New York Herald and 
Boston Post, giving the glad tidings of the safe arrival of the vessel. 



112 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

All over town the cry was heard that the Horton had arrived, and 
the event was made the occasion of a general jubilee. The Glouces- 
ter Cornet Band was promptly on hand, and after performing several 
stirring national airs on Front street, proceeded to Rocky Neck, es- 
corted by the torch-light procession and a drum corps, and serenaded 
the gallant Capt. Knowlton at his residence, who duly acknowledged 
the compliment. Notwithstanding the blustering, disagreeable weather, 
crowds of people joined the procession, giving vent to their enthu- 
siasm by hurrahing, firing guns and sending up rockets. It was an 
evening long to be remembered. Salutes were also fired Thursday 
morning and evening. There was also a display of fireworks, and 
the band, accompanied by a large procession, paraded the streets, 
playing patriotic airs. At eight o'clock a congratulatory meeting 
was held at the Town Hall, which was filled to its utmost capacity. 

Benj. H. Corliss, Esq., was chosen chairman, and made a speech, 
reviewing the many grievances of our fishermen, and the persistent 
course of aggravation and aggression maintained by the Dominion 
Government. He was followed by B. H. Smith, Esq., and others. 

Mr. Corliss presented Capt. Knowlton and his crew the sum of 
$1,000, which had been subscribed by the citizens of the town as a 
marlf of esteem, and a slight testimonial of the great service the}' had 
rendered the fishing interests in thus daring to take possession of the 
Horton. 

The speaking was interspersed with music, and the meeting was a 
lively one in every particular, and fully demonstrated the sentiment 
of this community on the fishing question. 

THE HORTON WAS NEVEK GIVEN UP. 

It was supposed that the British government would make active 
efforts for the return of the Horton, and would petition our govern- 
ment to that effect ; but nothing of the kind was done. Collector 
Babson at once applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for another 
set of papers, on the grounds that the United States government had 
no claim upon any vessel coming into port having lost her papers. 
The vessel he considered in the condition of one served by due proc- 
ess of law, and a keeper placed ou board. On the ilepaiture of ihe 
keeper or guard in the fancied security of insufficient water to float 
the craft, her owners were at liberty to go ou board and assume pos- 
session. No violation of law had been committed, as the vessel was 
virtually abandoned by the ofiicers who had her in charge, and no 
violence was used in her recapture. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



113 



There was some correspondence between the Canadian and British 
Governments relative to the seizure of the Ilorton. This was in due 
season laid before the House at Ottawa. The first paper was a mem- 
orandum from the Dominion Council to Earl Kimberly, stating that the 
prize money should be forfeited on account of the gross carelessness 
in guarding the vessel. The question of indignity to the flag, it was 
recommended, should be left to the Home Government, as it more 
properly came under their jurisdiction. The Committee of Council 
also reported, that under the circumstances, they did not feel called 
upon to recommend the reclamation of the vessel by the Dominion 
Government. Earl Kimberly expressed himself satisfied that such 
dignified conduct would serve tp promote friendliness with the United 
States, wliich was the earnest desire of England. 

The excitement of the Horton's recapture continued several weeks, 
as it was rumored that efforts would be made to run her out some 
night. Every precaution was taken to guard against this, and the 
plans were so well laid that it was absolutely certain that the vessel 
could not have been taken out of this harbor. Two of the local 
poets gave very vivid and interesting descriptions of the Horton 
affair, and the effect produced upon our people, which are well entitled 
to a position in this narrative. 



"THE HORTON'S IN." 

BY "old locality." 

TIio day retired serene and fair, 
And liglits came glancing here and there, 
"While gently swung the twilight down 
On Rocky Neck and Gloucester Town. 

The pulse of husincss life was still, 
From Gardner's Brook to Beacon Hill, 
On wharf and fish-yard, beach and bay, 
The calmness of the evening lay. 

Boom ! and a cannon's voice rang out; 
Boom ! and a mingled cheer and shout, 
With drum and trumpet, swelled the din — 
' The Hortou's in ! the Horton's in I " 

Safe from the lion's angry paw. 
Safe from the lapdog's snapping jaw, 
Hurrah I Cape Ann is bound to win — 
" The Hortou's iu ! the Horton's in ! " 

Hurrah 1 hurrah ! rose loud and Bhrill, 
From Duncan's Point to Banner Hill; 
And Front and Park and Middle streets 
Passed on the tidings wild and fleet. 



Hurrah 1 hurrah ! for Yankee wit. 
Hurrah I hurrah! for Cape Ann grit, 
It's pluck and dash that's sure to win — 
" The Horton's in ! the Horton's jnl " 

Here's three times three for the Captain, then, 
And three times three for his gallant men ; 
For the strong and daring, free and brave, 
The olive-branch and the laurel wave. 



ESCAPE OF THE HORTON. 

BY "YANKEE NED." 

Under the canopy of blue, 

Under the starlit sky. 
They crept — the daring, manly crew 

To cut her out, or die I 

Into the store they climb, 

With darkness all around ; 
Their nimble fingers quickly find 

That every sail is sound. 

With hank and halyard stout. 
Her wings were bent anew — 

Those gallant lads they i:an her out 
Across the waters blue. 



.14 



fishermen's memorial and FiECORD BOOK. 



Away from Scotia's shadowy shore, 

With cruisers on her lee. 
She travels o'er the deep once more, 

To Cape Ann's port — she's free ! 

Old Eastern Point is dead ahead, 
And th^ skipper's home in sight, 



With flying colors she is sped 
Safe into port at night. 

The spirit true of 'eeventy-six 

Lives in the land to-day ; 
Thank God ! — and no Dominion cliques 

Shall har the Yankee's way. 




FISIIEILMEN'S i^IEJIORIAL AND RECOCD BOOS. 



115 







The Severe Storm of 1839. 



The most distressing event which ever occurred in our harbor was 
occasioned by the storm of Sunday, December loth, 1839. From 
one of our citizens, who witnessed the fury of the storm and watched 
the doomed vessels as they dashed on the rocks, we glean the follow- 
ing particulars : — 

Saturday, the day previous, was remarkably mild and clear for the 
season. This induced the masters of many of the Eastern vessels to 
leave port on their trip to New York, Boston, and further southward. 
Arriving off Cape Ann, the wind suddenly veered into the south-east, 
with every indication of a violent storm. Sixtj'-five of the vessels 
sought refuge in the harbor, where, in the course of the night and 
Sunday forenoon, they caaie to anchor. At noon, the wind blew 
fearfully, and in the afternoon increased to a terrific gale, with snow 
and rain, and one of the roughest seas running which had ever been 
seen on this coast. Its power was indeed terrible ; and the fleet of 
coasters were watched from the shore by our people with the most 
intense anxiety, as the}' knew, if any of the vessels got adrift, there 
would be need of help to save lives. 



116 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

The prospect, however, was a cheerless one, as there was but little 
hope of the lives on board the vessels, if they once got into the terri- 
ble breakers of the lee shore. Along about three or four o'clock the 
vessels began to go adrift, and the scene was one never to be forgot- 
ten by the large crowd who had gathered on the beach. Many a 
silent, heartfelt prayer went up from that throng, in behalf of those 
whose lives were in such imminent danger, to aid which, human arms 
were almost powerless. Some of the vessels sunk at their anchors, 
and all hands perished. Others came upon the rocks, where, with 
the assistance of the strong arms of men who had baffled with the 
storms for years — the hardy fishermen and seamen of our town — 
most of the crews were rescued. All that afternoon the vessels con- 
tinued to drift ashore. Many were saved from this calamity by cut- 
ting away their masts. Darkness came down over the scene, render- 
ing it all the more dismal, the wind howling and the sea raging 
pitcously all through the hours of the night. Twenty wrecks were 
strewn along the shore ere the night had come on, and the morning's 
dawn was watched for by men who were determined to do all within 
their power toward saving the lives of those so terribly exposed. 
The gale abated somewhat during the night, and the faint streaks of 
light which glimmered on the eastern horizon that Monday morning 
revealed to sight thirty dismasted vessels riding at anchor in the 
harbor. The wind veered round to the north-east the next day, and 
as it moderated, Capt. William Carter, with a volunteer crew of noble- 
hearted men, put off in the Custom House boat, and brought the 
men ashore. They were obliged to jump on board, as it was too 
rouo-h for the gallant little craft to board the vessels. One of the 
vessels, just as her crew was taken off, drifted out of the harbor, and 
was never heard of afterwards. A most miraculous escape, indeed. 
Everything that sympathetic men and women could do was done 
for the comfort of the living and for the recovery of the bodies of the 
dead. The exact loss of life was never fully ascertained, but includ- 
ing those who perished on the wreck near Pigeon Cove, twenty lives 
were known to have been lost in this vicinity. Some of the bodies 
wei-e taken away by friends, and the remainder were buried from the 
Unitarian Church on the following Sunday afternoon. All the other 
churches were closed, their pastors taking part in the funeral services. 
An appropriate sermon was delivered by Rev. Josiah K. Waite. 

The storm occurring at a season when the fishing fleet were hauled 
up, did not cause any loss of lives or property of our people, which 
was indeed a most fortunate circumstance. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 117 



Fishermen's Children Playing on the Beach. 

We remember reading somewhere in a book of dreamy fancies that 
the thoughts of children are long, long thoughts. Tliey reach out a 
great ways, and full of daring, venture into paths that we older 
people, made practical by tlie world, are afraid to tread. A child's 
thoughts, if we could but know them, would make the prettiest fairy 
story ever told. 

These two fishermen's children playing on the beach of a sunny 
afternoon have turned their backs to the sea. It looks, one might 
fancy, as if they had turned their backs to the sunshine of life, and 
were looking boldly out into the darkness. But their eyes are so 
bright, being yet unclouded with sorrow, they can well afford to face 
the shadows for a time ; their sight is strong. The boy's face is full 
of daring ; we can see that, with his brown, bare arms crossed, and 
his hat well pushed back from his forehead, he is telling his playmate 
a marvellous story. Perhaps he imagines that he is a bold skipper 
and has gone in his vessel on a perilous voyage. 

" The fleet dropped anchor at the Banks," he says, " and the wind 
blew great guns. You'd ought to seen the snow drift, Matty. But 
I stood at the rail and hauled in hand over hand. My ! didn't we 
have a splendid catch? An' then we up anchor an' drifted — an' 
drifted out of sight of all the others. Two of the vessels went 
down, but we got safe into port after a while ; and. then, wasn't there 
a shouting ! Youll never go on such a trip, Matty, for you're only a 
girl ! " 

"We can imagine how the girl's brown cheek flushes and her bright 
eye kindles as she answers, after a moment's hesitatinsr thouo-ht : — 

" Well, if I'm only a girl and can't go to the Banks, I can stay at 
home and wait and pray for you to come safely back again." 

She seems very young to have found out that a woman's destiny is 
to watch and wait for a loved one's coming. 

The scent of a seaport town is in this little picture. The vessels 
glide away in the distance ; the sea and sky are all one, they are so 
smooth and blue. We get the scent of tar and fish as the wind 
blows in over the stones and twisted ropes, seaweed and oars. But 
the children have turned their backs to all this, and are living in a 
world of their own. The girl's face laughs through its sweet dream- 
iness. She looks as if she were turning over in her mind something 
the boy has said. Perhaps, she don't quite believe his story, although 



118 



fishersien's memorial and recoed book. 



a lassie is mostly quick enough to credit the woiiderful things a lad 
tells her. He is telling her, now, what he shall do when he grows 
up. 

"Most likely I shall go to Greenland, and then to Iceland, and 
shall own ever so many vessels. "Will you stay here an' watch for 
me when I'm out, just as we watch for our papas, Matty? " 




How her dark eyes glow ! How she believes every word that this 
little adventurous fisher-boy tells lier, and how meekly, yet bravely, 
she accepts her own destiny of watching and waiting at home on the 
beach ! 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 119 

"You'll be a strong man, won't you, when you grow up?" she 
says. 

" Yes ; and I'll buy you a prettj^ new dress, and ribbons every 
year," he answers. 

After all, it is not much they ask for of life, as they sit dreaming 
and playing on the beach. He will have his vessel, will make stormy 
trips to Georges and the Banks ; and leave wife and children waiting 
and praying for him at home. The girl's fancies will always keep 
bright and warm. She will have a house of her own, with neat, painted 
floor, and pretty white curtains and quilts, and flowers at the open 
window in summer. And by and by, when she waits on the beach, 
her face will be turned toward the sea, not from it as now, and she 
will be watching for the coming of the loved one's vessel safe home 
after the storm. 

The thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts. They flow out in 
strange, sweet ways ; the}' tell a thousand different stories, all in 
different tones ; they make a fairy laud for children to dwell in. 
Perhaps we have not guessed this boy and girl's thoughts aright ; no 
doubt they are a great deal brighter than anything we can imagine, 
and if we follow them very far, we shall be obliged to stop and rest. 
Wg know that they are bright and boundless as the sea that lies 
behind them, for we can see the reflection of them in their happy 
faces. 



The Cape Ann Fishermen of To-day. 

Those who man the fishing vessels of to-day represent all nation- 
alities, and present a marked contrast to the fishermen of a quarter 
century ago, when the}' were composed mostly of native-born citizens. 
The business has since that time increased so rapidly that it became 
necessary to look elsewhere for men. Very naturally the supply has 
been obtained in great numbers from the Provinces, and Nova 
Scotians represent a large majority of the men now pursuing the 
vocation. Among them may be found some of the smartest skippers 
of the fleet. These have made good use of the opportunities presented, 
and by their good qualities as seamen, capacity to handle a vessel, and 
possessed with sufficient daring to run the risks of winter-fishing, 
they have attained good positions. Many of them, who came here 
with scarcely a dollar in their pockets, are now owners, or part 
owners, of vessels, showing an energetic spirit of industry and perse- 



120 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

verance, which has surmounted difficulties and brought, as a reward 
of their toil, good returns. 

These men, as a class, are naturally fitted for the business. Born 
and reared by the sea, most of them of poor parents, it became a 
necessity for them to earn their own living at a very early age. 
Fishing wa^ about the only occupation in which they could engage 
in the Provinces, and in this branch they commenced, bringing to 
it all the energies of youth, and by its pursuit laying the foundation 
of robust health, which enabled them to bear the toil it demanded, 
and preparing them for the more advanced positions which were 
ofiered on board the American fishing vessels. 

The yearly visits of our fishing fleet into the Provincial waters 
show these men the contrast between the two classes of vessels, 
Nova Scotian and American ; the one, clipper-built and well 
appointed in every particular, and the other, clumsy and far behind 
in all the modern improvements and fittings. It is not strange that 
they had a desire to connect themselves with the better class of 
vessels, where opportunities for becoming masters and owners were 
so temptingly held out as the reward of industry, fidelity and daring 
to venture for a trip of fish at the most dangerous and inclement 
seasons of the year. They caught the inspiration of the Yankee 
fishermen, as they associated with them in their summer visits after 
mackerel, and learned of the winter fishing on Georges and the Banks ; 
of the chances to make profitable trips ; the opportunities to get 
ahead in the States ; and the advantages for their children to obtain 
an education. They also learned how well the vessels were provis- 
ioned. All this led them to seek for chances on board our vessels, 
and we have drawn from the Provinces hundreds of her population, 
representing all grades, with, a good proportion of really valuable 
men, who to-day are numbered among the energetic and thriving 
citizens of the town. 

In addition to these are the Portuguese, who also form a consider- 
ably large percentage of the fishermen of to-day. They make good 
stewards, being industrious and very fond of the perquisites which 
fall to the lot of those who hold this position, receiving not only a 
full share with the men, but additional compensation for their ser- 
vices, and other privileges which they are not slow to take advantage 
of. As a class they are very industrious, very prudent also, looking 
sharp after the nickels, fully believing in the adage of taking care 
of the cents, as the dollars will take care of themselves. 

They are mostly natives of the Western Islands, are quite clannish, 



fishermen's biemoriai^ and eecokd book. 121 

ardent Catholics, and very fond of pictures representing their patron 
saints. There is quite a settlement of them in Gloucester, and, taken 
as a class, they are industrious and law-abiding citizens. Many of 
them own houses and are well-to-do in the world. 

Then there is quite a sprinkling of Irish, Swedes, Norwegians, and 
Danes ; in fact, every nation on the face of the earth is represented 
among the fishermen. Among them are men of education, who by 
their gentlemanly bearing betray their good-breeding, and by the class 
of reading matter they select, are at once known as men of culture. 
"How did they become fishermen?" asks the reader. There is but 
one , reply. Something went wrong with them at home ; as, for 
instance, the case of an Englishman, who followed the business for 
twenty years in succession, as steward, — and a good steward he 
was. His father was wealthj^, had a good position, and this son 
George had a brilliant future in prospective. He loved a girl moving 
in his own station in life, and they were betrothed. He staked all 
on her whom he so fondly loved. She trifled with him, oftentimes 
cutting him direct, and finally encouraged another suitor, a man of 
the world, who seduced her. The rest is soon told. George lost all 
faith in humanity — the world looked dark to him. He left England 
as a common sailor, came to Boston, and from thence drifted down to 
Gloucester, where he followed fishing. He never returned home. 
One winter evening, as he sat with us in our sanctum, he told us the 
story of his life, and as he related it the tears rolled down his 
cheeks, at the contrast from what he was, and what he might have 
been, perhaps, with a family around him, if the girl of his heart 
had only proved true and returned the love which he had so freely 
bestowed. 

He has a snug competence, and the evening of his life is passed in 
quiet contentment. No more he follows fishing, or ventures on 
Georges in midwinter ; but amid the quiet of a family boarding- 
house, he is awaiting the summons which shall call him to that home 
be3^ond, where there is no more sorrow. 

Another we call to mind, a Swede ; a man of commanding pres- 
ence, bold as a lion, a good navigator, and, if he had let rum alone, 
would have made his mark in the world. But, alas ! he was a slave 
to appetite, and the noble attributes which God had given him were 
prostituted. None knew this any better than he, and yet he would 
drink, and oue night his body was found in the harbor. Many a tear 
was dropped as his remains were prepared for burial, and then we 
knew that the bottle had obtained one more victory — had secured 
one more victim. 



122 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

The old-time skippers are fast disappearing from the decks of the 
fishermen. You will find them engaged as fitters-out and owners. 
Knowing the business in all its branches, it is not to be supposed 
that they are to follow the hook and line all their lives. No, indeed ! 
They place their son or some other competent person in command 
of the craft, and, becoming owners or part owners of other vessels, 
launch out into the business, and become the solid men of the town, 
who may be seen at the meetings of the Gloucester Fishermen's 
Insurance Company, or gathered each evening in the reading-room, 
discussing the fishing news, and giving their opinion of the market 
and the prospect of a good year's work. Right well are the}- deserv- 
ing of their positions, as they have earned them b}'- continued toil, 
when with their lives in their hands they left the home-port behind 
and songht for a trip of fish, when the winds howled and the sea beat 
with its fury against their craft, threatening to swallow it up and 
bur}-- them far down in ocean depths, where so many of the brave 
fishermen have found a grave, and the loved ones on shore have 
waited so pationtl}^ for their return. 

The fishei'men, God bless them, whether on the land or sea ! Theirs 
is a life of toil ; and although fortune smiles upon them occasion- 
all}' and sends a good school of fish, j^et they spend hours and hours at 
the rail, in the bitter cold of winter, waiting for a bite ; — " grubbing," 
as it is termed, — with a family at home, whom they love as well as 
any one loves their own ; and the bread of this family depending upon 
the catch of fish. Oftentimes these fathers will lie awake at night in 
their berths, tossed up and down by the waves of Georges, hoping 
that he may do well this trip for the sake of his loved ones who are 
in need of many things for their comfort. This is no fancy picture, 
but the earnest facts in the lives of the married fishermen, v,ho pan- 
not stay at home in winter, because there is bread to win ; and they 
must win it. All honor to them. Theirs is no holiday existence, 
but a continued grappling with the elements, a struggle for life, with 
storm and old ocean in its anger to meet, and with pluck and daring, 
they wring success from the very verge of the grave. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 12i 



How Harry G. came to Sign the Pledge. 

Hairy G., or "Jolly" Harry, as lie was sometimes called, was a. 
noble specimen of a fisherman, being active to clut^'' when ou board 
the vessel, of good disposition, possessed of a fair education, and 
had very many noble traits in his character which endeared him to 
his shipmates. 

He had one fault, and that was a bad one, — he would drink liquor 
and oftentimes get intoxicated ; and when in this state he was 
fleeced of his hard earnings. Consequently he was always poor and 
behind-hand. Hum so got the better of him at last that it was evi- 
dent that he was fast going under. 

One night in February, Harry was ashore. He had come in that 
day from Georges with a good trip, and having got a little money on 
account, ho drank it all up and was very nearly intoxicated, when 
in the midst of a driving snow-storm he started fr6m the old Fort 
Wharf, to go on board the vessel which was lying in the stream. 
The liquor had begun to work, and as Harry was sculling his boat, 
he fell overboard. He was a good swimmer, and the cold bath 
sobered him. Now, thought Harry, as he told us afterwards, it's 
life or death with me. If it had not been for rum, I should not have 
been in such a predicament. 

The cold water struck to his very vitals, and with great difficulty 
he kept afloat. Finally, by the merest chance in the world, he got 
hold of the rudder of his vessel and held on for dear life. Then he 
began to shout for help ; but the wind drowned his voice and the 
cold made him shiver. He heard the old town clock strike twelve, 
and then he began to fully realize his situation and the danger he 
was in. There came up before his vision the sainted face of his 
mother, who had, years ago, gone on to the better land. She seemed 
very near to him that night, and we may call it fancy or not, his 
dear mother actually seemed to be with him, and called him her 
darling Harry, as she was wont to when he was a lad. He saw that 
dear face, which he remembered as last having gazed upon in the 
coffin ; he saw the smile which was so dear to him all along his 
youthful journej-, and then he heard her speak. This was what she 
said : — 

" My darling Ilarrj', your mother from her home on high comes to 
3'ou this night in your perilous position, and asks, if she v/ill get you 
safe from the danger which threatens, that ^'ou v.ill quit drinking 
liquor and never touch it again." 



124 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

All this did not take but a moment, so Harry said ; and he told 
his mother, or what he solemnly declares was his mother's spirit, that 
if he escaped that night, he would sign the pledge and keep it. 

The next thing he recollects, was the skipper, leaning over the 
vessel's stern and asking who it was that hallooed? Harry explained 
the situation, and was drawn on board more dead than alive. He 
went into his berth and all night long dreamed of his mother. Up 
before his vision there came the daj's of his happy childhood, and 
then gradually came the changes, and the word liquor seemed posted 
up all about his berth, and then came the word ruin. The pledge 
IS TOUR ONLY SAFETY then appeared in letters of gold. "When he 
awoke in the morning it all came back to him : the fearful position, 
clinging to the rudder ; his mother's voice and presence. He dwelt 
upon it all day long as he walked up and down the streets. His 
companions often invited him to drink ; but he steadily refused, 
although his appetite craved it in a most violent manner. He kept 
his thoughts on his last night's peril, and did not enter a rum-shop 
for the day. After supper he tidied himself up as well as he could 
and called upon a good-hearted deacon, who had at one time talked 
to him and entreated him to leave off drinking. He met with a most 
cordial reception, the good old deacon at once giving the poor 
fellow his sj'rapathy and support. Ere Harry left the house he had 
signed the pledge, and by the memory of his mother's words that 
night he was enabled to keep it. They acted as a talisman when- 
ever he was tempted. 

Life was far different to Harry after signing the pledge. In two 
years' time he was skipper of a vessel; then he became part owner; 
then he married a woman every way worth}'' of him. He is in the 
better land now, and his last days were happy ones. A few hours 
ere his spirit took its flight, he told a comrade who was watching by 
his bedside, " that the happiest memory of his life was, that he had 
never broken his pledge. Soon I shall be with my dear mother, and 
as I grasp her hand in the other world, as I firmly believe that I 
shall, how pleaded I will be to tell her, ' Mother, dear mother ! your 
boy Harry kept his pledge ! * " His was a happy death ; and no 
doubt he soon joined the mother, he so dearly loved. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 125 

Picking the Nets and Trawls, in which we find a 
Good Haul of Sketches, Incidents and Facts, rel- 
ative to the Fisherman and his Occupation. 

Getting A Fare UNDER Difficulties. — Schooner Elisha Crowell 
Capt. Thompson, of this port, which was out in the gale of January, 
1871, Western Banks, was boarded by a sea on the night of the 
9th, which caused her to part her cable, stove dories, and the men on 
deck at the time narrowl}'^ escaped being washed overboard. The 
weather moderating on the following day they again shaped their 
course for the Banks, the vessel having been blown off some distance 
by the gale. With commendable perseverance they set to work 
patching up the disabled dories, and succeeded in getting three of 
them in serviceable condition. A few odds and ends of trawl gear, 
which they fortunately had on board, were made to supply the place 
of those lost in the gale, and having two or three days of fine weather 
they succeeded in taking 15,000 pounds of halibut and G,000 pounds 
of codfish, arriving home on Saturday, making a very profitable trip. 
The perseverance of Capt. Thompson in thus finishing up his vo3'^age 
under such diflSculties is certainly worthy of commendation. 

A Meritorious Act. — Capt. Ezekiel Call, who was lost in the 
schooner W^illiam Murray, during the severe gale of April 2d, 1871, 
left a widow and five small children. Soon after his loss she was 
presented with a house-lot at Riverdale, and her relatives and friends 
signified their intention of building a house thereon and making her 
a present of it. The money for the lumber Avas I'aised by subscrip- 
tion, the cellar stoned and dug by willing hands ; then followed the 
carpentry work, painting, etc., all done by volunteers. The house 
was ready for occupancy in the spring of 1873, and the thanks of the 
■widow and the fatherless will descend as a benediction upon the 
hearts of those who assisted in its erection either by money or labor. 

Good Pluck. — Skipper John Hamilton and crew of schooner 
Robert Emmett, of this port, carried away her foremast on Georges, 
during the gale of March, 1873. They did not allow this mishap to 
break up their trip ; neither did they get another vessel to tow them 
into port, thereby running up a big bill for the owners and insurance 
company to pay. No, indeed ; nothing of the sort. But after clear 



126 FISHERMEN*S MEMORIAL AXD RECORD BOOK. 

ing awa}' the -wreck, they very ingeniously rigged up some temporary 
sails which would answer the purpose of reaching port; then they 
continued their fishing, arriving home April 11th, with a trip of 
thirty thousand. Such pluck is well deserving of honorable mention, 
and the Captain and his men proved themselves masters of the 
situation. 

A Mammoth Cod. — On Tuesday, July 22d, 1873, Miss Fannie 
Bemis, of St. Louis, while on a fishing excursion, off Eastern Point, 
on board the yacht United States, caught a codfish which weighed 
one hundred and thirty pounds. Can any of our Gloucester girls 
beat this? If not, St. Louis has something to boast of. 

Number of Gloucester Firms Engaged in the Fishing Business. — 
There are forty-three firms engaged in the fishing and fitting-out 
business in what is termed Gloucester Harbor. Messrs. John Pew 
& Son fit the largest number, 20 ; Messrs. Leighton & Co. come next, 
having 19 vessels ; Messrs. Smith & Gott follow with 16; Messrs. 
John F. Wonson & Co. have 14 ; James Mansfield & Sons, 13 ; while 
several have 12, 11, 10, and so on. 

A Good Day's Fishing. —On Friday, June 13th, 1873, Mr 
Abraham Geering, of East Gloucester, caught, on the " Old Man's 
Pasture," two halibut whose aggregate weight was 377 pounds. He 
obtained $21.34 for them, which was not a bad day's work. It is 
very seldom that so large halibut are caught off this shore. 

A Heavy Haul. — During the month of May, 1873, schooner 
J. W. Bradley, Captain Griffin, of Rockport, while weighing anchor on 
Cashe's Bank, found that it came up terribly hard. They hove away 
for a long time, and on bringing it to the surface, found that they had 
hauled up an ocean telegraph cable. On coming up out of the water 
it parted and at once sank. It proved to be the French Atlantic 
cable, and word was immediatel}^ despatched to Boston, and the 
cable was fished up and spliced in due season. 

Begun to Crow Too Soon. — Old Bill P., of East Gloucester, 
was a queer specimen of the old style of fishermen. He was at one 
time skipper of a small fishing-boat, and had made a poor year's, 
work. Late in the fall, while lying in Salem harbor, he determined to 
see if he couldn't get a couple barrels of flour on tick, knowing that 



fishermen's MEMOrJiMi AXD RECOED BOOK. 127 

if he could do so he would be pretty well supplied for the winter. 
Going up the wharf, he espied a provision store, and, stepping in, told 
a plausible story, and bargained for the flour. The store-keeper, 
supposing him the owner as well as skipper of the craft, concluded 
to let him have it on a short credit. Bill was delighted, and while 
rolling the second barrel down the wharf met one of the crew, and in 
a self-satisfied tone exclaimed : " See here, Tom, I can get trusted in 
Salem for two barrels of flour, while in Cape Ann no one would let 
me have seven pounds ! " It so happened that the trader overheard 
this, and, tapping Bill on the shoulder, ordered him to return ihem 
forthwith. The old fellow felt extremely chopfallen at this turn 
of aflairs ; but there was no help for it, and, amid the laughter of 
the crowd, returned the flour, muttering to himself as he went 
along, " What a fool I loas to let the cat oid of the bag before we got 
under-way for Cape Ann! " 

A Remarkable Incident of Seafaking Life. — Many years 
ago, two brothers, Capt. Nathaniel Smith, of Gloucester, and Capt. 
Ammi R. Smith, of Ipswich, made many voyages in the European 
trade. It so happened that while the one was at home the other 
would be abroad, and they had not seen each other for several years. 
One morning, on the broad Atlantic, two ships sighted each other, 
the one steering east and the other west, with a strong breeze. The 
usual preparations were made for " speaking ; " and upon ranging 
within hailing distances, the sails were thrown back, and there, 
trumpet in hand, stood the two brothers face to face, each on his own 
quarter-deck. Afl"ectionate greetings, with the tidings from abroad, 
and the thrice welcome news from home were exchanged, and after 
cordial wishes for each other's prosperity, the vessels filled away on 
their course. They did not meet again on shore or at sea for some 
years afterwards. 

Didk't Pat. — Upon the return home of one of our vessels from 
Georges, the master and owner were extremely loth to settle with the 
crew immediately after selling the trip, and some of the men were 
afraid they would not get their money very soon. Among them was 
an Irishman, who seemed bent on securing money or its equivalent. 
Finding his eflforts failed to bring the "cash" he fell back on the 
" equivalent," and proposed to take a portion of the schooner's cable 
in lieu of the greenbacks. 



128 fishermen's memoel\l and record book. 

" I should be most happy to accommodate you, Mike," replied the 
skipper, " but I never ' pay out' my cable when lying in port." 

Mike saw the joke, smiled, and walked off, and in a few days a 
satisfactory settlement was made. 

A Singular CincuMSXANCE. — During the spring of 1867, schooner 
Live Yankee of this port, while on Georges, lost her bowsprit and 
shroud. A year after, while the crew were busy with their lines, 
one of them hooked on to something which came up mighty hard. 
Finally, it was made fast until the tide turned, when it was hauled 
up and found to be the identical shroud which had been lost twelve 
months before. Tliere is not the least doubt in regard to its iden- 
tity, and it is remarkable, that after such a length of time the shroud 
should be recovered by the same vessel, when there is such a large 
fleet constantly fishing on the Banks. 

Kept His Ninepence. — Twenty -five years ago a fisherman at 
Riverdale made a trip to the Grand Banks. He was absent three 
weeks, and encountered a severe gale, which knocked the vessel 
down and nearly swamped her. Finally, after great difficulty, he 
succeeded in reaching port in safety ; when, upon settling up, he 
received as balance due a silver ninepence, after deducting his store- 
bill. He took it home, and, stringing it on a bit of ribbon, wore it 
around his neck, making a solemn vow never again to go to winter 
fishing, so long as he was not obliged to spend that ninepence. He 
wore it for a long time, and finally hung it up alongside the kitchen 
clock, where it may be seen to-day, and consequently he has nevei 
ventured on another trip. 

A Cent Found in a Pollock's Paunch. — Mr. William Thurs- 
ton, of this town, while dressing a pollock in the spring of 1868, found 
a nickel cent bearing the date 1867. The question is, how came 
it there? 

"Truth Stranger than Fiction." —There formerly resided 
here in town a widow woman who, in her younger days, resided in 
Nova Scotia, where her father kept a lighthouse. One day, during a 
violent gale, a vessel was driven on shore, and out of the entire crew 
a young lad alone was saved. Her father took charge of and 
adopted him as his son, and in due course of time he fell in love 



FISHEiaiEN'S MEMORIAL AND EECORD BOOK. 129 

with the daughter. A lover*g quarrel occurred, as they oftentimes 
will during courtships, and he, feeling considerably vexed, went 
away to sea. The family moved to Gloucester, and the daughter 
married one of the fishermen who was lost on Georges. Two years 
after this event, who should arrive in town but the first lover, whom 
she had not heard of since he went away. He learned she was in 
town, and after renewing the acquaintance they were married. Being 
tired of going to sea, he followed fishing, and last season was lost 
among those who lost their lives on these treacherous fishing- 
grounds. 

A Plucky Fisherman. — During the extreme cold and boisterous 
weather of March, 1872, the vessels on Georges had a rough time of 
it, and the men were glad to take refuge below, where they could keep 
comfortable. On board the Frederick Gerring, Jr., there was a 
plucky fellow named Alexander Anderson, who had not caught quite 
his share, and he was determined to make up the number. Donning 
an extra suit, over which he put on his rubber clothes, and tying his 
sou'wester firmly on his head, he lashed himself secureh', and there 
he stood, with the spray flying over him and freezing as it struck. 
He, however, stuck to his lines and caught fiftj'-three fish, the num- 
ber required, and then, being satisfied, left the deck for more comfort- 
able quarters. 

Life for One, Death for the Other. — Just before the ill- 
fated schooner Messenger left port, Mr. George A. Babcock, one of 
the crew, was induced to leave the vessel, at the solicitation of Capt. 
Hopkins, of schooner Caleb Eaton, and go as mate on a herring 
voyage. Capt. Osier afterwards shipped Mr. Thomas W. Gray, for- 
mer master of schooner Wm. V. Hutchings, and the vessel left port 
never m.ore to return. It proved a fortunate change for Mr. Bab- 
cock, as he had not the slightest idea of leaving the vessel until a few 
hours before he consented to the change. Mr. Gray intended to 
have shipped in another schooner, but, at the solicitation of Capt. 
Osier, who was ready to sail and anxious to make his complement 
of men, concluded to go with him. The chances of life and death 
are indeed very narrow at times, and every one is more or less exposed 
thereto. But we never fully realize it until instances like the above oc- 
cur, and then we are impressed with the fact, that oftentimes a slight 
incident may result in an entire change of our material prospects, 
and perhaps, as in this case, remove us from the shores of time into 
the land of the hereafter. 



130 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Still in Existence. — The fishing schooner Manchester, which 
was quite an old vessel when sold from this port thirty years ago, is 
still in existence, and was sold at auction in Plymouth, May, 1872, 
for $662. She is still good for a fare of fish, notwithstanding her old 
age. The painting of the late Fitz II. Lane, which was destroyed in 
the conflagration of the former town-house, had a very life-like 
sketch of this famous old banker, lying in the harbor cove, washing 
out a fare of fish. She must be about seventy years old. 

A New Fishing Ground. — Country fish-dealer (not posted in 
geography). 

" Here's fresh cod 'n haddock 'n halib-o-a-t." 

" What is the price of halibut, Mr. Napes?" 

" Twenty cents a pound, ma'am." 

" Why ! that is a monstrous price ; what makes it so dear? " 

" It is a very nice article, ma'am, the real Georgias halibut ; comes 
all the way from Georgia, packed in ice ; makes it come high." 

Economical housekeeper concluded that she would not invest. 



fishermen's hiemorial and record book. 131 



Bashings of Spray from Wavelets of Maritime 
Poetry by Home Authors, 




THE SKIPPER-HERMIT. 



BT HIRAM RICH. 



For thirty year, come herrin'-time. 

Through many kind o' weather, 
The " "Wren " an' me have come an' gone. 

An' held our own together. 
Do' know as she is good as new, 

Do' know as I am, nuther; 
But she is truer'n kit' an' kin, 

Or any but a mother. 

They're at me now to stay ashore. 
But while we've hand an' tiller, 

Bhe'll stick to me an' I to her, — 
To leave the " Wren " would kill her. 



My feet have worn the deck ; ye see 
How watches leave their traces, 

An' write on oak an' pine as plain 
As winters on our faces I 

But arter all is said an' done, 

There's somethin' sort o' human 
About a boat that takes at last 

The place o' child* and woman ; 
An' yet when I have seen some things- 

Their mothers let me toss 'em — 
My boat, she seemed a barnacle 

'Longside a bran-new blossom 



132 fishermen's memopwIal and record book. 



Bometimes to me the breeze off-ehoro 

Comes out upon the water, 
As if it left the grave of her — 

No -wife to me nor daughter. 
Lor! if I knowed where green or no 

The turf is sweet above her, 
I'd buy a bit o' ground there. — wide 

As a gull's wings would cover. 

We know the tricks of wind an' tide 

That mean an' make disaster. 
An' balk 'em, too— the " Wren " an' me — 

Off on the 01' Man's Pastur', 
Day out an' in the blackfish there 

Go wabblin' out an' under, 
An' nights we watch the coasters creep 

From light to light in yonder. 

An' then ag'in we lay an' lay 

Off Wonson's Cove or Oakses— 
None go by our compass-light, 

Nor we by other folkscs. 
Ashore, the ball-room winders shine 

Till weary feet arc warnin'. 
But here an' there's a sick-room light 

That winks away till mornin'. 



An' Sundays we go nigher in, 

To hear the bells a-n'ngin', — 
I aint no hand for sermons, you. 

But singin's allcrs eingin'. 
The weathercocks — no two agree — 

Like men they arg' an' differ, 
While in the cuddy-way I set 

An' take my pipe, an' whiff her. 

My pipe — eh ! p'ison ? mighty s-l-o-'w; 

It makes my dreamin' clearer. 
Though what I fill it with now-days 

Is growin' dearer 'n' dearer. 
I takes my comfort when it comes^ 

Then no lee-lurch can spill it. 
An' if my net is empty. Lor' 1 

Why, how can growlin'^ fill it? 

An' so we jog the hours away. 

The gulls they coo an' tattle. 
Till on the hill the sundown red 

Starts up the drowsin' cattle. 
The seiners row their jiggers by; 

I pull the slide half over, 
An' shet the shore out, an' the smell 

Of sea-weed eweeter'n clover. 

Scribner's Monthly. 



THE TIDE, 



BT HENRY A. KEJTDALt. 



The tide is in, anon is out, 
Nor lingers at the turning; 

And man, as restless as the sea, 
Its thriftlessness is learning; 

Two busy brothers gathering in, 
And having gathered, spuming. 



The waves bring pearls upon the shore, 
Yet on the shore no pearls there be : 

For fortune varies ebb and flow. 
And with the waves' monotony ; 

For hopes, like pearls and shells, come in, 
But with the tide go out to sea. 



fishermen's memorial, and record book. 



t.38 




THE BARK COf^ES BACK NO MORE. 

BY JAMES DAVIS. 



Never more, never more, 

Cometh back to the shore, 
The fishermen's bark that so gaily departed I 

And never a vrord 

Of tidings is heard. 
To tell of her fate to the desolate-hearted. 

With full, swelling sail. 
Before the fair gale, 
The home-port she left with her flag gaily 
streaming; 
And not one brave heart 
That in her did depart, 
Of her perilous voyage on the ocean was dream- 
ing. 

Far out on the tide 

Awhile they did ride, 
And the sea's finny treasures their labor re- 
warded ; 

While thoughts of their cheer. 

As home they should steer, 
A comfort mid toil and privation afforded. 



But never again 

Shall come back those brave men. 
Their forms 'neath the dark waves of ocean are 
sleeping; 
And loved ones on shore 
Their sad fate deplore, 
And eyes have grown weary with watching 
and weeping. 

Weep no more ! weep no more I 
Ye mourners on shore, 
For the lost ones whom fate from your bosoms 
hath riven ; 
For though their frail bark 
Went down in the dark, 
The crew have arrived safe in Love's blessdd 
haven. 

And though to the shore 

Shall come back never more 
The fishermen's bark that so gaily departed, 

In that haven above 

You will meet them, where Love 
All sorrow shall chase from the dcsolate- 



134 fishermen's memorial and record book. 



ASLEEP ON THE BEACH. 



BT GEORGE H. PROCTER. 



There's a dear little child at play 
On the beach, -with its pebbly shore ; 

Bright and joyous the Bummer's day, 
And hushed the sound of ocean's roar. 

The tiny waves dance up and down, 
Sparkling and rippling merrily ; 

The child with play hath tired grown. 
And lain him down quite wearily. 

Higher and higher up they creep, 

Those rippling wavelets tipped with white, 
Off from the bosom of the deep, 

Along the sand they take their flight. 

In they keep rolling with the tide ; 

The boy sleeps ou — so free from care ; 
O'er the waters the light winds glide, 

And sunbeams kiss his golden hair. 

Old grandpa, who can scarcely creep, 
With palsied limbs — voice feeble, too, — 

Bees from his door the child asleep ; 
Great God t what is there he can do ? 

"With quivering lips, uplifted hand, 
He prays, midst sighs and weeping. 

That tlie good Lord from off the sand 
Would save the child there sleeping. 

'•Descend, O Father, from the skies, 

And touch with spirit of Ught 
My little grandchild's sleeping eyes. 

Or stay the proud waves' might! " 

His prayer ia ended ; he has done 
All that he cau to save the boy, 



And left him in the care of One 
Mighty to save or to destroy. 

Hush! what does the old man see 
Skipping along o'er the pebbly ground ? 

Bruno, his dog, who, leaping free. 
His master joins with a joyous bound. 

'• Bruno, good dog ! there's CTharlie dear. 
Your playmate, lying on the shore ; 

Go quickly, now, and bring him here, 
Ere rising waters sweep him o'er ! " 

Showing the dog an old toy gun, 

Which oft he'd seen in Charlie's hands, — 
He knew at once, and off he run. 

Bounding across the glistening sands. 

The child is reached. Haste, Bruno, haste I 
There may not need another wave ; 

The waters rise — Oh, do not waste 
A moment more if life you'd save I 

Brave dog! gifted with instincts rare. 
How gently you lift that little waif 

Out from the surf, and with such care 
Place him above where all is safe ! 

The mother came with bated breath ; 

How she had run from grandpa's side! 
She feared her boy had met his death. 

There on the sand amid the tide. 

But when she saw his opening eyes. 
And watched his tiny, heaving chest. 

Oh, joy untold ! what glad surprise ! 
Ecstatic rapture filled\ier breast. 

Phrenological Journal. 



fishermen's memorial and record rook. 



135 




**^^^^ 



LOST AT SEA. 



BY SABAH G. DDLEY. 



LostI 

Weary and tempest-tossed, 

Lost at sea ! 
The ship went down in the foam, 
And found a watery home. 
While the waves resistless roam 

Wild and free. 

LostI 

Fiats of fate were crossed, 

Lost at sea I 
With seaweed and coral dressed. 
And hand crossed o'er his breast, 
In a wakeless, dreamless rest, 

Sleepeth he. 

Lostt 

In ocean's foam and frost, 

Lost at sea 1 
And no tear falls o'er their grave, 
But the restless ocean wave 
Roams o'er monarch and o'er slave 

In its glee. 



LostI 

The ones we have loved most. 

Lost at seal 
For they may not walk the shore. 
When some long, long voyage is o'er, 
And they, with us no more 

Bend the knee. 

LostI 

And pallid hands are crossed. 

Lost at sea I 
And maidens' eyes are dim, 
And mothers' eyes o'erbrim 
As they sadly think of him 

In the sea. 

LostI 

They are a mighty host. 

Lost at sea 1 
And the waves say with their moan, 

I am monarch — all I own 

'Tia to me they all have gone, — 

Gone to me. 



136 FISIIEKMEn's MEMOEIAL and liECOED BOOK. 




AFTER THE STOREVl. 



BY HENRY C. L. HASKELL. 



I would I could paint the picture — 

I have only to shut my eyes 
And a long white reach of sandy beach 

Will straight heforo mc rise. 

And a mass of dusky billows 

"SVhite-maned and tumbling in 
With a crash and roar to the sandy shore, 

And a v\'ild and ceaseless din. 

Behind in the west, a rampart 
Of clouds that are dun and wild, 

And the sun just dips to their crimson tips 
Where the darkest mass is piled. 

There where the waves seem fiercest, 
In their maddened rush and roar — 

With her starboard side to the tossing tide 
Lies a fated bark, ashore. 

Her tall masts bend as the billows, 
Eieing in stormy might, 



Are a moment seen of a dusky green. 
Ere falling broken and white. 

I can see her mainmast totter. 
Then plunge in the seething tide; 

While toward the strand of damp wnitc sand 
The shattered fragments glide. 

There goes the foremast over. 

Whiter the great waves curl ; 
And over her pour with their sullen roar. 

And a madder rush and whirl. 

We turn from the white beach homeward. 

But pause to glance once more; 
The moonbeams shine in a silver line 

O'er the waves to the sandy shore. 

For the purple of eve has gathered 
And spread from the eastern skies; 

And the billows moan where shattered and 
lone 
A dreary wreck she lies. 



fiskeemen's memorial and record book 



137 



THAT SUMMER DAY AT NORMAN'S WOE. 



BY GEORGE H. PEOCTEB. 



Mem'ry, lend your magic powers, 
Retrace the pictures one by one; 

Roll back the years, recall the hours — 
That summer day in 'fifty-one. 

Turn back the pages in life's book, 
Oh, faithful mem'ry. fond and true; 

Once more reveal the cozy nook 
At Norman's Woe — the scene renew. 

Old ocean in its calmest mood 
The boats swayed gently by the tide ; 

While o'er across, the light-house stood, 
Which winter's storms had long defied. 

That day so fragrant with its joy, 
Her whom I loved — that pleasant stroll; 



I'ure happiness without alloy — 
Heart answered heart and soul met souL 

She gave the promise — untold bliss ! 

Through all our lives our love should flow; 
We sealed the promise with a kiss. 

That summer day at Norman's Woe. 

We've walked together twenty years — 
Oft-times the path has not been smooth, 

I'ut e'en these varied hopes and fears 
Have served as tests our love to prove. 

I ne'er regret her saying yes, 
And giving me her heart so true; 

Life's cup is full, for mine's the blitis 
Of being loved, and loving too. 



SKIPPER JACK. 

BY OLD LOCALITY. 




With hair white as the sea-gull's plume 
All bleached on the stormy sea, 

With features bland, and large of heart, 
A kind old man was he. 



The battling storms of eighty years 

On life's long ocean roll, 
Had left no spray in his eagle eye, 

Nor ice on his noble soul. 



138 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



HiB smile came out with a ennny gleam, 

As it came in the days of yore; 
And his voice had a soothing charm like the 
waves 

When they sing on a shelving shore. 

The young folks gathered at eventide, 

With a bright, expectant eye, 
For a ballad tune of the olden time. 

Or a tale of the days gone by. 

He sung of the fight on Bunker's Height, 

And how the red-coats ran ; 
How Lawrence brought his noble ship 

In sight of old Cape Ann. 

He told that far, far back in the past, 

FuU sixty years and more, 
The old ship " Howard " stranded, lay 

A wreck on our rocky shore. 



He sung of the deeds of Captain Kidd, — 

How the pirate loved to rove ; 
Of the shining gold that he had buried deep 

In the dingle at Grapevine Cove. 

He told of his childish sports, and how 

Full seventy simimers back, 
The glow on his cheeks was the bloom of health, 

And the curls on his brow were black. 

And he fondly smiled on the gentle Sue 

Who sat near his aged knee ; 
And pressed his lip to her shining brow, 

For a kind old man was he. 

Then drop a tear for Skipper Jack, 

The best of the brothers seven ; 
We would not call his spirit back 

From its anchor-hold in Heaven. 



JERRY AND ME. 



BT HIBAU BICH. 



No matter how the chances are, 
' Nor when the winds may blow, 

My Jerry there has left the sea 
With all its luck an' woe ; 

For who would try the sea at all. 
Must try it, luck or no. 

They told him — Lor', men take no care 
How words they speak may fall — 

They told him, blunt, he was too old. 
Too slow at oar and trawl; 

An' this is how he left the sea. 
An' luck an' woe an' all. 

Take any man on sea or land. 

Out of his beaten way, 
If he is young 'twill do, but then, 

If he is grieved or gray, 
A month will be a year to him, 

Be all to him you may. 

He sits by me, but most he walks 

The dooryard for a deck, 
An' scans the boat a-going out, 

Till she becomes a speck. 
Then turns away, his face as wet 

As if she were a wreck. 



The men who haul the net an' lino 

Are never rich ; an' you 
My Johnny here — a grown-up man — 

Is man an' baby too. 
An' we have naught for rainy days, 

An' rainy days are due. 

My Jerry, diffident, abroad 

As restless as a brook, 
An' when he left the boat an' all. 

Home had an empty look ; 
But I will win him by an' by 

To like the window nook. 

I cannot bring him back again 
The days when we were wed ; 

But he shall never know — my man — 
The lack o' love or bread, 

While I can cast a stitch, or fill 
A needleful of thread. 

God pity me, I'd most forgot 

How many yet there be. 
Whose good men, full as dear as mine, 

Are somewhere on the sea; 
Who hear the breakin' bar, an' think 

Of Jerry home an' me. 

Atlantic Monthly. 



fisherimen's memorial and record book. 



139 



'^lii iriir 




THE FISHER'S WIDOW. 

BY GEORGE H. PROCTER. 



Fair was that morning in winter, 
When he kissed her good-by. Fair was the 

breeze 
Which filled the sails of his schooner, 
As gayly she sped out of the harbor for Georges. 
Fondly she gazed after him. 
Watching the white foam which feathered the 

track 
Of the "Margery" — her name, and that of 

the trim 

Little craft he commanded. 

Her prayers followed him, 
And each night as her head pressed the pillow, 
Her God was entreated to care for all 
On the watery depths; then one 
Earnest plea for Roger, — whose heart was 

hers, — 
Would fall sweetly asleep, with 

Dreams full of bright pictures and fancies. 

Three weeks passed away, 
Bringing around the time for his return ; 
How anxious now the hours 1 For those com 

ingin 
From the treacherous Banks, brought fearful 

tidings 
Of a sudden gale I Terrible the tales 
Of drifting vessels, of collisions and founder- 

ings. 
Of hair-breadth escapes, broken spars. 

And parted cables. 



One after another, the fleet slowly rounded the 
Point, 

For the wind had spent itself, and was gentle 
now; 

But nearly all had torn sails, damaged spars or 
hulls. 

As their names were repeated, many a heavy 
heart 

In Gloucester town grew light; wives and chil- 
dren 

Were happy as they greeted husbands and 
fathers 
Whom they feared would nevermore return. 

"Where's the 'Margery'? Have you seen 

her? 
Tell me true I Have you not spoken the 

' Margery,* 
Or seen her since the gale? " 
These were the queries which the young wife 

made. 

One skipper said, " The * Margery ' 
Lay right 'longside his vessel — the « Union,' 
Two days afore the blow, and had shifted 

berths 
Early in the momln' in hopes to finish their 

catch, 
Then homeward go." Another said, " that a 

vessel. 
Which he took to be her, had started for home 



140 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



The very mornin' of the gale;" while yet 

another 
Thought he " saw her adrift, drivin' down to 

lu'ard ; 
Where the heft of the fleet were layin'." 

The young wife hoped against hope, 
Thinking that tlic " Margery-' had beenblown 

off. 
And gone into some distant port 
Where tidings were long in coming; 
Or that her husband and his men 
Had been taken off by some vessel bound afar, 
And they would come back again. 

But the '• Margery " never more returned to 
port! 



She sank 'neath the waters, in that fearful 

storm: 
Three other vessels went with her, and forty 

souls 
Winged their way upw.ird, — 

With them, the skipper of the/' Margery." 

The fisher's widow has taken up her cross. 
And carries it with a lirra hope 
Of again meeting her loved one 
In that land beyond, where those who sail 
The sea of life are sure to meet at last. 
This hope brings comfort, 
And to-day, with hectic flush and feeble breath, 
She's dra\ving near her home, having a hold on 
God 

Strong as the everlasting bills. 



LOOKED FOR. 

BY HIRAM RICH. 

• Ill n 1 I r^r^s^^sr^v--^ 




"All the apple blooms are open and the bees 
are in a flurry 
While I walk the headland orchard, by the 
sail-beclouded sea, — 
The single sail I look for's a long time a-com- 
ing. 
And a day is longer now than a siunmer used 
to be. 



" Every night I make a beacon of my little 

chamber window ; 
Often at the door I listen, with my hand upon 

the key ; 
The single sail I look for's a long time a-com- 

But the sudden footstep in it hath no echo 
of the sea. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



141 



•* All my baby-se-wing finished, I am knitting, 
only knitting. 
For he loves to find me idle-like when com- 
ing home from eca ; 

The single sail I look for's a long time a-com- 

But a day without my needle Is a weary one 
to me," 



All the apple blooma are fallen and the idle 
bees arc dreaming. 
And deserted is the orchard by the sail-for- 
saken sea; 
The only ship she looked for Is anchored in the 
harbor, 
And a sailor Bits at supper with a happy 
vis-a-vts. 

The Independent. 



SK3PPSR CHARLEY OF CLOUCSSTSH TOWN. 

BT GEORGE H. PBOCTER. 



iT^-f- 




Don't you know skipper Charley, of Glouces- 
ter town, 
A jolly old fellow of upwards fourscore, 
Whose snug little cot, weather-beaten and 
brown, 
Stands at Eastern Point, close down by the 
bhore ? 



Skipper Charlie's first trip was in eighteen 

two. 

In the jigger " lantha," which for those times 

Was a crack little craft; and he will toll you, 

He was ten years old when he first pulled the 

lines. 



142 



FISnER]VIEN'S SIEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 



For sixty odd years, through all kinds of 
weather, 
ne sailed the salt water In sunshine and 
storm. 
Sharing the comforts and dangers together 
With shipmates many — hut now they're all 
gone. 

'Tis thrilling, I tell you, to hear Mm repeat 
The narrow escapes he has had in his day ; 

And many's the evening I've taken my scat 
In his chimney-corner so cozy and gay. 

" Wa'al, "hont as nigh as I can rememher," 
(The skipper most always commences this 
way,) 
" 'Twas eighteen forty-two, the first of Novem- 
brr, 
Comin' from mackrellin' in Penobscot Bay. 

" Thatcher's Light we saw just 'afore the day 
broke, — 
Didn't the wind howl? what a wild-lookin' 
skyl- 
When out from the for'castle curled up a 
smoke, 
An' then foUored a blaze most half-mast 
high I 

" "We did all we could to smother the fire. 
'Twasn't any use tryin' to stop its fierce 
glow; 
It kcp' on a blazin' higher an' higher ; 
'Twas soon quite sartin the old 'Betsey must 
go. 

" Wo jumped in the boat as soon as we could ; 

I shiver to thftik of that momin's cruise ; 
Oblecged to take passage in just what we 
stood, 

Life was dear to us then — fault-fiiidin's no 



" We contrived to keep the old boat alive, 
'Twas ' nip and tuck ' in that heavy sea ; 

But the good Lord helpeth those who strive, 
An' he sent a vessel — that's my idee. 

" For nineteen seasons, one arter the other, 
I went to Georges — an' that's no boys' play I 

'Twas there the sea washed off deckmy young 
brother, 
An' aforo my own eyes he drifted away. 

" We couldn't save him, I knew that full well ; 

But I heard him shout, and my name loudly 
call; 
Then I saw his dear face as he rose and fell 

On a white-capped billow — and that was all 

" Many a night arter, I've waked up from sleep 
At hearin' that call, and my dead brother's 
form 

Has appeared, as if comin' up from the deep ; 
I saw him so plainly — and then he was gone. 

" I went one season more, that of 'sixty- two; 
Time of the big blow — you remember it 
well: 
What destruction and sorrow then did accrue 
From that storm on Georges, words fail me 
to tell ! 

" Such a terrible night ! Oh I didn't it blow ! 

An' over a hundred vessels were there ; 
When one parted her cable, away she'd go 

Right into another, and down went the pair. 

"We rode it out, safely, but how, I can't tell; 

Fifteen of the fleet ne'er again h'isted sail ; 
An' a hundred and thirty-eight lives went to 
swell 
The losses on Georges, in that dreadful 
gale." 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



143 




YACHTING. 



BY HENRT A. KEKDALL. 



FUl, snowy sails, until onr rails 

Careening kiss the sea ; 
White crests of foam abandon home 

To bear us company I 

And, brave topmast, defy the blaet, 

Clear whistle in the wind; 
These bright green waves were never graves, 

Till hope was left behind. 

Nor hopeful decks can turn to wrecks 

While water washes keel — 
" 80 bind the sheets to weather-cleats," 

Loud sings the pilot at the wheel. 



These clouds, storm-gray, will bum away, 
The wind go down with the sun ; 

And Dian bright, with her silver light, 
Will gild our sails as we onward run. 

Already in lulls we hear the gulls, 

And see the petrels flitting by ; 
And He whose might notes swallows' flight, 

Will give us at length a tranquil sky, 

And wind as fair as stirred the air, 
With waves that dance, as when 

Columbus left the Indian isles. 
And steered bia shallop back to Spain 1 



144 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



THE TWO TRYSTS. 



A hillside stretching seaward, ripples of shin- 
ing blue, 

And tido-waifed strand of rifted sand inclined 
between the two. 

On ebb of the waves, slow rocking, Impatient 
at long delay, 

The white-winged boat, with pennon afloat, 
tosses her shadow in play. 

A cot with its blossoming tree; lover and fair- 
haired maid. 

Standing alone by the threshold stone, holding 
their tryst in the shade. 
Hope and joy, with a twofold power. 
Bind heart to heart in the twilight hour. 



A hiliside stretching seaward, and tide-waifed 

sanded shore. 
But white-winged boat with pennon afloat 

plays with its shadow no more. 
Feet grown weary with waiting, eyes watch. 

Ing over the sea, 
And life's sweet dream of golden and sheen 

rest 'neath the blossoming tree. 
A dirge from the moaning waves, tears from 

the twilight dew. 
And hands of love, beyond and above, are 

pledging their tryst anew. 
Hope and joy, no longer at strife, 
Bind soul to soul in that better life. 



THE LOSS OP THE SCH. JAMES S. AYER. 



BT HENRT A. KENDALL. 



I see her mainsail in the sun 

Gleam bright as any swallow's wing. 
As ready to fly when all is done — 

I hear the hardy fishers sing ; 

Out round the Point, and past the light 
That guards the ramp.arts of the Bay; 

Still sailing on through all the night, 
And on .and on from day to day; 

But never to return, O t^hip I 

Thou boarest a dead crew. 
With faces white and drowning lip, 

And eyes upstaring to the blue; 



And costly freight of mothers' tears, 
But, more than all, those dead men's lives. 

With all the promise of long years. 
And prayers of widowed wives. 

Yet know we not ; white sails she spread, 
Was spoken once, and evermore 

Their children listened for the tread 
Of those who kissed them at the door. 

And bade them watch their coming back, 
And kissed them sweetly, one by one, 

Then sailed away to death and wrack, — 
Thy will, O God, thy waves have done I 



fisher]\ien's memorial and record book. 



145 




A WAIF. 



BT H. C. L. HASKELL. 



The autumn day 

Rich in its regal beauty lay 

Over headland and beach and sea, 

And the voice of the waves eang dreamily 

A sweet, low tale to the listening ear; 

A tale, as if never a breath of fear, 

Or shadow of Borrow, could cloud the blue, 

Or darken the sunlight glinting through 

The mellow air. It was fair, I ween, 

That autumn sunlight, that harbor scene, 

As over the waves, that golden day, 

A trim bark sailed on Its voyage away. 

Gloucester town 

Lies where the winter sunbeams down 
On its roofs and spires are shining bright, 
On the tall masts showing slim and bare, 



On Stage Head Battery, and where 

Gleams the tower of Ten Pound Island light: 

Eut never again to Gloucester town. 

Around the Point and up to the town 

Ynil the good bark glide, that sailed away 

In the dreamy hush of that autumn day. 

There 're those who'll waitand watch and weep, 

And gaze afar o'er the heaving deep. 

And wish for the loved to come once more — 

For the bark to sail for Cape Ann's shore. 

Ah I none may know in the sea-girt town 

Uow or when that staunch bark went down 

For those who within her sailed the main 

Never will come to port again. 

Father of goodness and mercy be 

"With those who mourn for the lost at flea I 



146 



FISHERMEN 8 MEMOllIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 




NOT LOST, BUT GONE BEFORE. 

BY Mils. MART A. SHELTON. 

Re/tpectfuU>/ -inscribed to the friends of the lost fishermen. 



Not lost, ah I uo ; only gone on before, 

They are anchored safe on the shining shore ; 

The souls ye loved left the vessel's deck, 

As ocean folded the sinking wreck, 

And white-robed angels led the way 

To the fadeless realms of eternal day. 

In lonely caves, 'neath the surging deep, 
The forms ye loved lie in dreamless sleep, 
The ocean waves chanting as they flow, 
A mournful requiem soft and low. 
Seeming to say, " O fishers, for thee 
Do we chant this solemn melody." 



There's a sable cloud o'er the fisher's home, 
A longing for those that can never come; 
Watching and waiting, alas, how vain. 
For steps they never will hear again ! 
O God I thou alone canst give relief 
To these stricken souls in their bitter grief. 

Fold them, O God, in thine arms of love ; 
Point them to that beautiful world above, 
Where 'mid a bright-robed angel band, 
Their loved, not lost, in glory stand; 
May they mourn no more for the souls at rest. 
For their Father called, and he knew best. 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 



147 



WAITING, ANXIOUS WAITING I 

BT R. C. CALDEK. 



There is waiting, anxious waiting, for tlie 
fisherman's returning, 
And the angry winds are blowing, as the 
billows loudly roar ; 
There's a beacon in the window, and a cheerful 
fire is burning, 
To guide the storm-tossed mariner In safety 
to the shore. 

There is waiting, on the deck, where the 
fishermen are standing. 
And fervent prayers are oflfered that the 
storm may soon be o'er ; 
All the sails are torn to ribands, and the 
cables now are stranding, — 
O God I have mercy on them! they are 
drifting on the shore I 



There is waiting, anxious waiting, for the ti- 
dings of the missing — 
And tearful eyes are looking in sadness to 
the shore ; 
And the mother's heart is aching, as the child 
she's fondly kissing, 
Whispers softly from its cradle, " "Will 
papa come no more? " 

There is waiting, anxious waiting, and tlie 
days and weeks are flying, 
Tet no coming of the missing ever glads the 
watcher's eyes ; 
And the waves for aye are surging, with a 
wild and mournful sighing, 
Where in dreamless rest, the fisher with 
his shattered vessel lies. 



AFTER THE GALE OF 1862. 



[The following lines were suggested upon hearing the wives and relatives of those on 
board the missing vessels of the Georges fleet making inquiries of a returned Georgesman.] 



" Seaman ! where art thou from ? 
Art thou from Georges' tide ? 
And will [hose others come ? 
Do they in safety ride ? 

" Didst thou my husband see? 
And was my brother there? 
And my son, will he come back to me, 
With his locks of shining hair? 

" At home my children weep ; 
Now tell me, seaman true, 
Oh, doth their father sleep 
Beneath the waters blue? " 

•' Woman, the night was dark, 
The sea too much to brave; 
I fear thy husband's bark 
Hath sunk beneath the wave. 

" And your brother, too, was there, 
Tossed by the treacherous main; 
And he with the shining hair 
Shall ne'er return again. 



" Children, your father sleeps. 
Beneath the waters blue; 
But God his promise keeps. — 
He will take care of you. 

'' Of children once he said, 
' Suffer them to come to me ; ' 
Is not the raven fed 
By his boundless charity? 

"I'll tell thee more to-morrow; 
The tears come to my eyes. 
Go home and calm your sorrow 
By prayers to Him on high. 

" Hath not the Saviour told thee 
To come in thy distress ? 
In his arms he will enfold ye. 
The ' widow and fatherless. 

" And all with sorrow laden, 
May come to him in prayer, 
And joys that are unfading 
With them from heaven he'll share." 



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fishermen's memorial and record book. 



COD BLESS THE FISHERMEN. 



BT CELIS. 



God bless the fishermen ! God be their guide, 
And pilot them safely o'er the dark rolling tide; 
Calm the fierce winds and still the deep sea ; 
Watch them and guard them where'er they 

may be ; 
For their life is at best a perilous one 
And the little they gain, how dearly 'tis won 1 

Around them wild dashes the white seething 

foam; 
Yet they cheerfully toil for the dear ones at 

home. 
Oh, scorn not the fishermen, greet them with 

love, 
And ask for their welfare a boon from above. 
Their lot is a hard one; their home's on the 

wave. 
And oft 'ueath the sea they find a grave. 

Love them sincerely, be to them kind; 
Their friendship's the truest you ever can find. 
Oh, once the sad heart, now a desolate fane. 
Was written all over with a fisherman's name. 



Tou ask why I love them ; — I'll tell you why, 
Although it shall wring from me many a sigh. 

Alas, it gives me a keen, bitter pain 

To speak of the lost one I'll ne'er meet again ; 

Oh ! the loved one, the lost one, where is he 

nov7? 
The cold sea is laving his manly brow; 
For he sleeps in old ocean, his grave's in the 

tide; 
He went to his death in the lost " Neptune's 

Bride." 

And since that sad night, my heart's fervent 

prayer 
Goes up for the fishermen everywhere. 
God save the fishermen ! may he be their guide, 
And pilot them safely o'er the dark rolling 

tide. 
Oh I calm the fierce winds, and still the deep 

sea; 
Watch them and guard them, where'er they 

may be. 



IN SICHT OF HOME. 



BT MRS. SUSIE MERCHANT. 



Roll on, O ocean ! tell the same sad story 
Of fond hearts crushed by thy resistless flow ; 

Of .ill the hopes deep buried 'ncath thy waters 
We ne'er in time, can ever, ever know. 

Tell of the night, when dark and dreary, 
And tempests raged upon the waters deep; 

Tell to the loved one sadly waiting — 
And having lost all hope, can only weep. 



Tell, when the tempest at its highest, 
"With no eye to pity and no arm to save, " 

The one her heart has ever held as dearest, 
Found 'neath thy troubled waves his ocean 
grave. 

Tell how the last prayer that he ofi'ered 
Was, "Father, keep my wife and little one; 

Oh, may she know how tenderly I loved her 
And that I died when just in sight of home ! '' 



FISHEKMEN S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK, 



149 




A Musical Fisherman. — His First Violin. — Early 
Struggles. — His Cruise in the "Rival." — Ship- 
wrecked Yankee Fishermen Giving Concerts in the 
Provinces. 

Professou John Jay Watson, now President of the National 
American University of Music, and other Liberal Arts, in New York 
City, began life as a fisher-lad, and followed the business several 
j'ears. He commenced fishing at the early age of eight, and at four- 
teen his brother Kobert oflTered him a full' share if he would go with 



150 riSHERMEN'S MEMOEIAL AND RECOED BOOK. 

him in the schooner Garland. From his early youth he was passion- 
ately fond of music, and was never so happy as when listening to 
the songs which flowed so sweetly from the lips of his mother, who 
possessed a voice of great purity. His father was also a good singer ; 
and it may be safely asserted that John inherited his rare musical 
talents from both parents. Another great pleasure was afforded the 
lad, in listening to the impromptu playing upon the violin by the 
fishermen. He would stand spell-bound as it were, completely 
oblivious to all surroundings ; his soul revelling in the enjoyments 
which the merry strains afforded, and his face all aglow with enthu- 
siastic admiration ; his feet and hands keeping time, and his body 
swinging to and fro in the ecstasy of boyish delight. 

On board the Garland was a very kind-hearted fisherman, Mr. 
Joseph Wonson, of East Gloucester. He possessed a violin — fiddle, 
the fisherman called it ; and during the evening hours, after the day's 
catch were di'essed and taken care of, he would play a few simple 
airs. This was heaven itself to the music-loving John, and that was 
a happy moment, indeed, when Mr. "Wonson told him that he might 
try and see if he could play. How the lad labored, and, with trifling 
assistance from Mr. Wonson, he soon learned the simple tune of 
"Auld Lang Syne;" then followed, "Haste thee "Winter, Haste 
Away." Mr. "Watson informs us that among the many successes of 
his musical career, none ever afforded him so much real, unalloyed 
pleasure, as the fact that he could really play these tunes. 

During the trip John improved every opportunity for playing ; and 
the owner of the fiddle agreed to sell it to him, bow and all, for one 
dollar. The trip turned out poorly, and John, whose finances were 
low, could not purchase the much-coveted instrument. "When return- 
ing to port he left the Garland, and shipped in the Helen, which was 
owned and commanded by his father. The first day out they came 
across a large school of haddock, and John hauled them in so fast 
and worked so perseveringly as to win frequent encomiums from his 
father, who predicted that the boy would make one of the smartest 
skippers in the fleet. The veteran, however, was not aware of the 
cause of John's applying himself so energetically. The boy did, 
however, for there was constantly appearing before his eyes that 
violin. The sales of his fish would give him monc}' to purchase it. 
They got a good trip, and his father very willingly advanced his son 
some money on account. "With nimble feet he made his way to East 
Gloucester, found Mr. "Wonson, and came back with the violin under 
his arm. 



fishermen's memoeial akd record book. 151 

Then commenced the trials and vexations which always accompany 
the struggles of genius. An old fiddler, named John Chandler, gave 
him lessons, and every spare moment was devoted to practice. He 
got consent to stay at home one trip, and his time was mostly spent 
sawing away with his bow in his father's barn ; and on "Wednesday and 
Saturday afternoons, followed by a score or more of admiring compan- 
ions, he would stroll up into " Judy Millet's parlor," or in " Stacy's 
Pines," where he would give free concerts. "When he went on his 
next fishing-trip, it was with the express understanding that he 
should carry his violin and play when there was no work to do. 
Many a fisherman who reads this will well remember how nicely 
Watson could play those popular airs, " Roll on. Silver Moon," 
" Dearest May," and " O Susannah." Then those charming little 
waltzes which followed. "We've heard them all, time and again, and 
can verj' readily recall the peculiar flourish with which John, even 
in those da3's, handled his bow. 

In 1850, his health, which had been impaired by a long fit of sick- 
ness, rendered it necessary for him to take a fishing cruise. He 
shipped with Captain David Brown, and, while lying in N. E. Har- 
bor, Mt. Desert, during a storm, availed himself of a few hours of 
fair weather to give the fishermen, who were lying there together, a 
little music. He had, during the previous winter, taken lessons of 
Prof. Fenollossa, at Salem, and made the most rapid progress. He 
now played some of the most difficult airs, and gave his listeners a 
touch of all kinds, from the simple to the more artistic productions. 

After he had concluded his playing, a boat put off from one of the 
vessels, and there came on board Capt. O. R. Gross, master and 
owner of schooner Rival, of Truro. He introduced himself to Capt. 
Brown, and inquired who it was who had shown such proficiency in 
playing on the violin. 

" There's the young man," replied Capt. B. 

"We will give the account of this first interview in Capt. Gross's 
own language : — 

" I looked toward the companion-way, and there sat a young man, 
as pale as a ghost, his form emaciated to a painful degree, the 
results, as I afterwards learned, of his sickness. On his head was 
an old tarpaulin hat, and his whole make-up was rather unattractive. 
As soon as I shook his hand and heard him talk about music, his 
appearance was forgotten. All that I knew, saw or cared for was 
the man, and not his apparel. We talked of music, and "Watson 
charmed me with his enthusiasm. At my request, he took up his 



152 fishermen's memoriai. and record book. 

violin and repeated some of the airs which had before impressed me, 
and I knew at once that he was a born musician. I made him 
promise that he would come on board my vessel, and stay there until 
the storm was over. It lasted several days, and proved a season of 
exquisite enjoyment to us both. I also made him promise to go with 
me in the Rival, the next year, as first hand." 

The season of 1851 found Watson on board the Rival. They 
made successful trips off shore, and in September went to the Bay 
of St. Lawrence. They had a musical crew throughout, consisting of 
Capt. O. R. Gross, violinist, tamborinist, violincellist, flutist, singist 
and pianist ; John Jay Watson, violinist, guitarist, pianist, singist, 
etc. ; Hiram S. Buffington, violincellist and dancist ; Adrian Lufliin, 
violinist and singist ; George Urquhart, violinist ; the black cook 
also manifested a musical taste, but as some one greased his fiddle-bow, 
the first night out, it was never known what his special acquirements 
were. He took the insult so much to heart that he left the vessel 
the first opportunity which presented itself. 

All went well with the Rival, and her merry-hearted crew. They 
had obtained almost a fai-e of mackerel, when the fearful gale of Oct. 
3d came on, and, after a very narrow escape from foundering, in 
which all hands would have found a watery grave, she was driven 
ashore at Cascumpec, Prince Edward Island, where they landed, tak- 
ing the precaution to save their instruments. Here they were 
received by Patrick Cahill, a kind-hearted farmer, and that evening 
they gave a musical entertainment at his residence, the like of which 
had never before occurred in that localit}'. All but Watson and 
Gross took passage home in other vessels. These two, however, had 
conceived the idea of bettering their financial condition by a concert 
tour. Capt. Gross was engaged to play the organ one Sunday in 
one of the little towns, and Watson pushed on to Charlottetown, 
where he scattered the programmes and put up posters, announcing 
that Professors Gross and Watson, the celebrated violinists and vo- 
calists, would give one of their unique entertainments, etc. When 
Gross came up on Monday morning, he was astonished to see the 
barns and fences for miles outside the town covered with these 
posters. He concluded that Watson had some business tact in him, 
and was not mistaken. The" concert passed off most successfully. 
There was a crowded house, comprising the elite of the town, and 
the audience were delighted. 

The programme was a most varied one, comprising gems from 
Mozart and Beethoven, together with Yankee Doodle, Hail Columbia, 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 153 

and comic songs, ad libitum. It was repeated with like success. 
Then they pushed on to St. John, thence to Portland, where crowded 
houses greeted them. The last concert was given in Gloucester, 
Watson's birthplace. It was a bumper, and the towns-people knew 
and recognized the talent which he manifested. 

Since then Prof. Watson has passed three seasons in Europe, where 
he has had the benefit of the best masters. Ole Bull sought him 
out, and he accepted an invitation to spend the summer at his home 
in Norway. This distinguished violinist testified his appreciation of 
Watson's talents, by presenting him with one of his most valued 
instruments. The boy who gained his first instruction on board a 
fishing-schooner, and rejoiced in the possession of a one-dollar 
violin, has risen, step by step, until to-day he occupies a prominent 
position among the musical celebrities of the country. IVIay he con- 
tinue to prosper is our wish, as well as that of the fishermen from 
whose rank he is proud to state he sprang, and among whom he 
acknowledges to-day some of his most steadfast friends. 



Loss of the Schooner ''Neptune's Bride." — Two of 
the Grew saved. — Eighteen hours on the Mast- 
Head. — A Perilous Passage. 

Schooner " Neptune's Bride," as will be seen by the record, went 
ashore at Malcomb's Ledge, Me., on the evening of September 22d, 
1860. Twelve out of the fourteen of her crew met a watery grave. 
The following are the full particulars of that night of peril : — 

The vessel struck the ledge at a little past nine o'clock in the even- 
ing. It was quite foggj^, accompanied with rain, and the men had 
all turned in except the watch on deck. She was jogging under a 
foresail, and, as soon as she struck, the men below rushed on deck, 
and made for the boat. Mr. Marsh, and George Norwood, seeing 
that the boat was full, concluded to take their chances on the vessel. 
The boat was soon swamped by the heavy sea, and the men took 
refuge on the ledge. The two on the vessel could distinctly hear them 
conversing, and they asked for a rope, as the ledge was a sunken one, 
over which the tide rose, and they wished to regain the vessel. Two 
attempts were made to get a rope to them, both proving unsuccessful. 



154 fisheemen's memorial and record book. 

They then asked for some clothing ; but the vessel was full of water, 
and none could be obtained. The schooner had now heeled over, 
and it was feared that she would capsize ; but she remained in posi- 
tion. The tide was rising, with a heavy sea running, rendering it 
imperative for the men on board to go aloft, if they wished to save 
their lives. They crawled out on the bowsprit, and, while attempt- 
ing to climb up the jib-sta}', were washed off three times; but finally, 
after much toil, climbed up to the foremast-head, nearly exhausted 
with their struggle with the breakers. Here they clung, and while 
holding on in the darkness, heard the men on the ledge talking of 
their chances for life, and earnestly wishing that they could only get 
on board the vessel. 

Slowly crept the moments, and the tide rolling in with each heav- 
ing billow. They heard their shipmates, as they moved as far up out 
of the reach of the greedy waters as possible, and, during the next 
hour, could not a\oid hearing their struggles, as the sea rose, crested 
with raging foam, and claimed one after the other as its victim. Then 
the vessel's bow settled, bringing the two men up to their chins in wa- 
ter, as they stood on the foremast cross-trees. Norwood was dis- 
couraged at the cheerless prospect, and determined to swim for it, and 
Jeft his position, hoping to gain the shore ; but the sea was too much 
for him, and bidding his companion farewell, with the words, " O 
my God ! " upon his lips, sank beneath the waters. 

As soon as Norwood left. Marsh determined on one more struggle 
for life, and, climbing up the foremast head, grasped the top-mast- 
stay and walking as far as he could on the spring-stay, pulled himself 
up, hand over hand, to the top-mast head, where he sat down and 
rested himself. His thoughts were of home, of his wife and child. 
An ardent desire to see them once more seemed to thrill his whole 
being, inspiring him with fresh courage. For their sake he deter- 
mined not to succumb. The tide followed him and had now reached 
his feet, then up to his waist the waters came. There was so much 
comfort in sitting down, and he was so fatigued ! But no ! he must 
stand up if he wished to save his life, and so once more he stood up. 
To add to his discomfort, the rain came down, accompanied with thun- 
der and lightning, and there, amid the darkness and the storm, he 
clung to the top-mast, hoping and praying for the dawn, and for the 
turning of the tide. He had sutfered much from thirst; this he 
quenched from the rain-drops which wet his hair. He was in liis 
stocking-feet, and suffered much from the cramped position in which 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 155 

he stood. One foot was raw where it had chafed against the spring- 
stay, and pained him severel}'. 

It was now, as near as he could judge, about three o'clock in the 
morning, and he was in hopes that the tide was at the flood. He 
drew himself up, resting his chin on the color-truck. This was all he 
could do, and he patiently waited. The love of life was strong in 
the young man's heart, and he prayed that God would save him. 
Then he clung hold of the top-mast, and for a little time lost con- 
sciousness. When he came to, the dawn was breaking through the 
fog, and with joy unspeakable he saw that the water had gone down. 
He could see the top of the ledge peep out, from which his companions 
had met their death ; and now, so far as he knew, he was the only 
survivor of them all. All day long he remained on the top-mast. 
The hours dragged, — oh, so slowly ! — filled with suspense, hope, doubt, 
and sometimes despair. The tide turned, and slowly it crept toward 
him. The minutes now seemed hours ; and yet no succor came. 
The water had crept up to his knees, and the prospect of another 
night on the wreck, together with the terrible experience and expos- 
ure of the past eighteen hours, were too much. He became delirious, 
and imagined that he was on board the schooner, beating up Portland 
harbor. 

He was saved by the merest accident, if we may call such events 
accidents. Two fishermen were mending their nets on Seal Island. 
It had been foggy all day, and at five in the afternoon, when it 
cleared up, they saw the wreck, and one insisted that there was a 
man on the top-mast. His companion endeavored to persuade him 
that it was all imagination, and said it was of no use to go. But the 
other, convinced that he was right, replied that he would go alone if 
his companion would not accompany him. Both started, and what 
was their surprise, upon drawing near, to see this poor fellow clinging 
to the top-mast, but utterly unconscious, raving with delirium, and 
yet holding on, his body submerged in water. 

They rowed their boat alongside, then lifted him tenderly, and 
laid him down, putting their clothing over him ; then he fainted. 
Carrying him ashore, to their little fishing-hut, they put him to bed 
with hot stones at his feet and back, and gave him strong herb drink 
dashed with a little liquor, which they happened to have. In the 
morning he was better, and as soon as he could be moved he was 
conveyed to Carver's Harbor, where he was taken to the hotel, and 
received the best attention ; and from thence came liomc, and is alive 
to-day to tell of his peril that night, and of his wonderful escape. 



15(5 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

Heniy Johnson, one of the crew who. took to the boat, was also 
saved, after a night of struggle and hardship. While his shipmates 
sought refuge on the ledge, after the boat was swamped, he found 
himself alongside of her and crawled in over the stern- sheets. She 
was full of water, but fortunately there was a bucket ia her, and a 
coil of rope. With the former he commenced bailing, and by dint 
of liard labor managed to free her, although she was continually tak- 
ing in water. A hogshead tub from the vessel had drifted across the 
boat amidships. This he secured with his rope, and that made the 
boat ride more easily. When he got tired of bailing the boat he 
would crawl into the tub. and when that got full of water he would 
commence bailing the boat again. Twojibbing-tubs drifted near him. 
These he secured also, and making them fast on the other side of tlie 
boat, they helped to keep her afloat. He knew not whither he was 
drifting ; but was thankful that he was going away from the ledge, and 
so utterly exhausted was the poor fellow that, long ere daylight 
dawned, he fell asleep. He could not keep awake, though his life 
might depend upon it. On the boat drifted, being kept afloat by her 
tubs, and Johnson slept, perfectly oblivious to the seas which threat- 
ened to engulf him. " Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," 
had possession of him, and on the boat drifted. At noon-time, a 
Belfast schooner sighted the craft, bore down to her, and her single 
passenger was received on board and kindly cared for. Thus, out of 
a crew of fourteen two alone were saved, after passing through hard- 
ships which makes one shudder to contemplate. 



Leaves from the Log-Book of Oapt. James Pattillo. 

How HE SERVED A DOMINION OfFICEB, WHO BOARDED THE SCHOONER 

Abigail. — Pdts to Sea in the Teeth of a Gale, and outsails 
THE Cutter. — How he got a Load of Herring for Schooner 
Tiger. — A Fearful Time on Georges, in Schooner Alexander. 

Capt. James Pattillo, in his palmy daj'^s, was considered one of the 
smartest skippers that ever sailed from the port of Gloucester. When 
he was on board his vessel, he was the master, in every sense of that 
term ; and if there were any fish to be got, he was the man to get 
them. For several years he has retired from the water, and oa his 
snug farm, at North Stoughton, is passing the evening of his life in a 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 157 

quiet manner, enjoying himself, after his many years of battling the 
elements on the deck of a fishing craft. Now and then the captain 
comes to Gloucester. He must have a look at the harbor, and a 
snuff of the sea-breeze, enjoy a cruise around the -wharves, and a talk 
with his old companions. It was on one of these recent visits that 
we had an opportunity of interviewing him, and obtained the follow- 
ing spicy incidents, which form an interesting chapter in the " Memo- 
rial and Record Book " : — 

In the year 1841, he made three trips to the bay, one for herring, 
and two for mackerel. It was the law then to pay fourpence a ton, 
light-mone}^, each trip. On the third trip, a daughter of Dr. Can- 
trill, of Guysboro', N. S., who had been working in Lowell, wished 
to take passage. Her father had recently died, and the girl, in re- 
sponse to the urgent call of her mother, was extremely desirous of 
getting home, where she could comfort her widowed parent, and do 
what lay within her power for the benefit of the family. Now it was 
against the law, in those times, for a fishing vessel to carry passen- 
gers ; but the kind-hearted captain could not resist the appeal of the 
daughter, who wished to get home that she might assist her afflicted 
relatives ; so he consented to take her home. This he did on his own 
responsibility, without any compensation, save the satisfaction which 
the performance of a good deed, in this world of ours, affords. Accord- 
ingly, she came on board ; and upon the vessel's arriving at Canso, 
he carried her ashore in the boat. The vessel did not come to anchor, 
and while he was landing the girl, a custom-house officer, named Big- 
elow, came on board, and put the king's broad " R " on the mainmast, 
which proclaimed lier a prize. 

When Capt. Pattillo returned on board, the officer informed him that 
he had seized the vessel, for landing a passenger and her effects, con- 
trary to law. 

" Now, then," he says, " I want to see your papers." 

The vessel's boat was hoisted in, and Capt. Pattillo went below to 
get his papers, and returning on deck with the documents^ asked the 
officer if he thought himself the master of the schooner. 

" Yes," was the reply. 

Shortly after, he demanded of Capt. Pattillo the light-money j but 
he thought if the officer was really in command, he should pay the 
light-money himself, and so informed him. 

Then a lucky thought struck the captain, and he asks, in a sten- 
torian voice, " B}' what authority he was on board the schooner, and 
where were his documents to prove that he was a revenue officer?" 



158 fishermen's memorial and record book. 

" I came off in such a hurt}' that I left them ashore," was the vopl}^ ; 
and this was true, as he had nothing to show. 

" You base impostor ! " roars the captain ; " go ashore, you vaga- 
bond, as quick as possible." 

But the officer was not going to give it up so quickly ; so he 
ordered the helm hard down. 

Old John Parsons had the tillei', and he was so excited that he 
obeyed the order. Then Capt. Pattillo began to bristle up and sang 
out, " So long as I am on board this craft, Uncle John, I am 
master ; now, then, hard up the helm ! " This order was obeyed just 
in time to save the vessel from going ashore on Paint's Island. 

Then followed a war of words between the pair, in which skipper 
Pattillo was called a smuggler and other hard names ; to which he 
replied, that all the crime he was guilty of, if crime it was, was 
bringing home a poor, fatherless girl, for which he asked no compen- 
sation ; but right or wrong she was safe at home. Just then a little 
cutter made her appearance, and the exultant Bigelow said, " I have 
you now, anyhow, and will take the vessel into Great Canso 
Harbor." 

" You can go where you like, cutter or no cutter, but the vessel 
will not carry the pair of us," was Capt. Pattillo's reply. "I'll 
heave to until you go ashore for your documents, and if you are the 
right man to receive the light-money, I will pay it ; otherwise not." 
Thus they disagreed until " forbearance ceased to be a virtue," when 
Capt. Pattillo made a spring at the stout official, and seizing him by 
the throat with one hand, and taking him by the slack of his trowsers 
with the other, lifted him over his head as though he was an infant, 
and threw him into the boat so violently that he broke the thwart 
when he struck ; then, casting off the boat's painter, let him find his 
way ashore as best he might. 

But the end was not j'et. He made complaint against the master 
of the Abigail for smuggling ; and three cutters, commanded re- 
spectively by Capts. Darby, Marshall and Stevens, were sent in 
pursuit, wifh orders to take Pattillo, dead or alive ! 

Meantime skipper Pattillo pursued the even tenor of his way, 
and caught seventy barrels of mackerel. He had heard that they 
were after him, and had armed himself with two great rocks, weigh- 
ing one hundred and fifty pounds each, to throw into and sink any 
boats which should attempt to board his vessel. 

On the third of October there arose a fearful gale, and in the 
afternoon Capt. Pattillo run into Port Hood, and came to anchor 



fishermen's MEMORIAIi AND RECORD BOOK. 159 

with the rest of the fleet. Soon after, the cutter under the command 
of Capt. Marshall came in, and a boat containing eight men, fully 
armed and equipped, was sent to search among the vessels, to see if 
the Abigail and the big "Pattillo" was among them. Capt. Pattillo 
saw the movements, and stood by his large rocks, fully determined to 
drive them through any boat who dared to board his schooner. 
They saw him, and, considering " discretion to be the better part of 
valor," did not come alongside. 

There was but one way to get out of this difficulty, and that was 
to go to sea in the teeth of the gale. To remain where he was 
would result in his being captured ; and to go outside was running 
the risk of getting ashore. But the plucky captain was not long in 
making up his mind. He gave orders to get under way. 

Up went the sails. Skipper John Bayley, who was anchored near, 
hove his vessel ahead as far as he could ; and Ben. Laroque paid out 
his cable so as to give Pattillo all the advantages he could in getting 
out. All was excitement, and the rigging of the fishing vessels and 
all along the shore was lined with spectators, anxious to witness the 
result. 

The cutter now commenced getting under way ; but the Yankee 
fishing-craft had the lead, and passed within fifty feet of the cutter. 
A ball was fired, which went through the mainsail. The men were 
oi-dered below, and the spunky skipper laid down flat on the deck 
and steered his craft. The next ball went through her side and 
lodged in the main-beam, where it maybe seen to-day. Eleven shots 
were fired in all, five of which struck the vessel, and six came short. 
One struck the mainmast, taking ofi" a glancing piece some four feet 
above deck. The cutter chased her six miles ; but the fishing-craft 
was much the best sailer, and the gale increasing every moment, the 
cutter gave it up and went back, feeling rather chopfallen. 

There was a gay time that night in the hai'bor ; all the American 
fishermen took their boats, and improvising a band, with drum and 
fife, and other musical instruments, played "Yankee Doodle," rowing 
around the cutter. 

The Abigail lay to all night, right in the very worst of the gale, 
under balance-reefed mainsail and two-reefed foresail, and in due 
course of time arrived safely home. Among her crew now alive were 
Mr. Daniel Brown and Henry Smith. 

In the year 1837 or '38, (the skipper could not exactly recollect 
which,) it was decided by Capt. Giles, who owned the pinkey Tiger, 
to send her to Fortune's Bay, Newfoundland, for a load of herring. 



160 fisherimen's memorial and record book. 

This was an entirely new voyage, and skipper Pattillo, just the man to 
undertake it. lie took with liim five raen and a black boy, and think- 
ing there would be some nice game in those regions, can'ied five 
muskets and two kegs of powder. They started on the 28th of 
November, and after arriving were frozen up. Nothing daunted at 
this, they cut holes in the ice and succeeded in getting a load of her- 
ring, but they could not get out. There they were, hard and fast, 
with miles of ice between them and the clear water. 

According to the old treaty, American vessels had no right to 
catch herring, or any other fish, within an imaginary three-mile line 
from the shore ; and some one informed a Custom House oflScer 
named Gaj^den, that a Yankee vessel was getting herring, and he 
determined to seize and make a prize of her. Now it so happened 
that the Tiger was out of provisions, and the Captain sent some of 
the crew a long distance ashore, where they purchased some flour and 
molasses. Some good friend of the Captain wrote him a letter and 
despatched it by one of the crew, in which he stated that Ga3-den 
intended to take the vessel, and was soon coming with a large force. 

The Captain read the letter and then informed his crew. " Now, 
boys, we'll see about this. The thing can't be done ! "What, take 
the Tiger? Not by a long shot. We'll put her in such good fighting 
trim that all Newfoundland couldn't take her ! " 

Then they went to work and built four barricades of double logs, 
in such a manner that they swung at an angle of forty-five, command- 
ing a complete sweep of the vessel, bullet-proof, and afibrdiug perfect 
shelter. When these were completed he swore his men on the Bible, 
that they would stick to him until the end, and so long as life lasted, 
they would obey his orders and fight for the old Tiger. 

On the morning of March 11th, five boats were seen coming out- 
side the ice, between Young's Point and Folly Cove Head. A clear 
place in the ice had been cut around the Tiger, in order to keep the 
foe at a respectful distance and give those on board a better oppor- 
tunity to fire. 

The Captain was right on his muscle that morning, and gave orders 
to load the muskets. They had been busy the day previously in 
running balls in a pistol-ball mould, and fifteen of these balls were 
placed in each cartridge. One kog of powder was placed in the hold, 
with a train attached, and the black boy had instructions that, at a 
given signal, he was to set fire to it and blow the vessel and all on 
board into atoms. The Tiger was not to be given up under any cir- 
cumstances. They were all to share lli' rmnc fate, and they knew 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 161 

the Captain was just the man to carry out his plans. He would not 
flinch when the pinch came. 

The boats landed on the borders of the ice, some distance away. 
Captain Pattillo watched them through his glass, and counted thirty 
men, all armed to the teeth. Along the ice they marched, and reach- 
ing the clear place where the vessel was anchored, hailed her, wishing 
to see the master, and have him come ashore on the ice with his 
papers. It so happened that Captain Pattillo was not naturalized, 
and had used the name of Joseph Cain, as master, giving Cain his 
name for the time being. 

After some little parleying Captain Pattillo informed them that his 
vessel was fully armed and provisioned to stand a siege. There wei'e 
five muskets now covering them, containing in all seventy-five balls. 
" Now, 3'ou can't take this vessel ; and I propose to come ashore and 
decide this thing by a fair fight. Pick out three of your best men, 
and I'll take care of them ; but mind, if ye play me foul, there won't 
be one of ye who will ever see home again, as my men will fire when 
they get the signal from me." 

The boat was got ready, and the captain, dressed in nothing but a 
pair of duck pants and slippers, with a handspike in one hand, and 
the vessel's papers in the other, got into her. John Gorman, one of 
the crew, rowed him ashore, and immediately returned to the vessel. 
The captain marched boldly up to Gayden ; then the men gathered 
around. One fellow stood with pistol cocked over Gayden's shoulder, 
and two others with muskets drawn on the captain, all ready to fire. 
The papers were asked for, and handed over ; then Gayden showed his 
credentials on parchment, also the silver oar, which gave him author- 
ity to board vessels. A council was then held, and under the circum- 
stances, (those formidable batteries, and the loaded muskets behind 
them,) it was decided not to attempt to take the vessel, or capture her 
captain. But the oflScer would not give the papers up, and marched 
off with them. 

April 17th, the Tiger was released from the ice, and went to Bru- 
net, and on Sunda}', the captain, taking one of the crew, Ned Caven- 
der, rowed in an open boat fifteen miles to Harbor Briton, for the 
pui-pose of calling on Gayden and getting his papers, as he did not 
like the idea of starting for home without them. 

His arrival created a great excitement in the village, and men and 
boys from far and near gathered in squads to see the Yankee Captain, 
whose fame in arming his vessel had been wafted far and near. 
Knocking at the door of Gayden's house, a servant girl came, and he 



162 fisherhien's memorial and record book. 

asked to see Mr. Gayden, who she said was at home. Then a little 
daughter came, and finally his wife, who wished to know if she could 
not attend to his demands. 

" No, marm," said the skipper, "I want to see Gayden himself." 

Finally he appeared, with a cocked pistol in his hand, trembling 
lilce an aspen leaf. He was so much agitated that he could not have 
held his hand steady enough to have hit the captain, even so close as 
they stood together, if he had tried his best. 

" What do you want? " he sullenly muttered. 

*' I've come for my papers, sir," was the reply. 

" They have been sent to St. John, and I cannot give them to 
you," was the next response. 

" Then give me something to show that 3'ou took them." But he 
would not give him any writings to that effect. Quite a crowd had 
now gathered, among them an old magistrate and a policeman. 
The latter began to abuse the captain by insulting language, which 
he bore as long as he could, and then gave him a broadside clip 
under the ear, which landed him ten feet off, where he lay quiet, not 
caring much about getting up. 

" If there are any more of ye who want anything of me come right 
along," said Pattillo ; " I'm not to be abused by any man living." 

Nobody wanted anj'thing ; but the crowd cheered lustil}^, and he 
received an invite to go to the Jersey House to supper, which he 
promptly accepted, after which a vessel bound to Brunet, took their 
boat in tow .and he rejoined his vessel. 

In the mean time Gayden had got a cutter under way, manned with 
sixty-five men ; but they were not smart enough to catch Pattillo. 
He was too wide-awake for them altogether, and he made a good run 
for Cape Ann, arriving May 14th. He had been absent so long that 
the vessel had been given up as lost, and when he went ashore they 
thought it was his apparition. But no, it was solid flesli and blood ; 
and for many a day he was kept busy relating his adventures. 

The herring met with a ready sale at $7.50 per barrel, and were 
the first lot ever imported from Newfoundland into the United 
States. 

On the 19th of February, 1841, Captain Pattillo sailed for 
Georges in the good schooner Alexander. On the 26th anchored 
at dark in thirty fathoms of water, twenty miles to the eastward 
of North Shoals. At midnight broke adrift, with the wind blow- 
ing a gale from the south-east. Got the anchor and set a 
double-reefed foresail and balance-reefed mainsail, and let her jog, 



fisetermen's memorial and record book. 163 

with head to eastward. Told the watch to call him if the wind 
hauled. The wind shifted into the north-east with a tremendous gale 
and heav}' sea. Tried to carry sail so as to clear the north 
shoal, but could not. Was soon off soundings and could not get 
bottom with a hundred fathoms. All through the forenoon the gale 
increased fearfully, the wind canting a little more to the northward. 
Had the lee rail under water, when all at once a tremendous sea 
raised the vessel perpendicularly in the air, and it seemed as if it 
would throw her end over end. He was standing in the companion- 
way, and states that the vessel was completely enveloped in a sheet 
of water. He could look up under it, the same as one can gaze 
under the Falls of Niagara. Such a sight he never before witnessed, 
nor did it ever occur before or since, to his knowledge, on Georges. 
Not a drop of water had touched the deck. William Blatchford, one 
of the crew, had his arm in the pump drawing the box, and never got 
wet a particle. 

Soon this immense volum-e of water broke. The arch separated, 
and down it came, striking on the end of the bowsprit, breaking off 
both shrouds as clean as they could have been cut with a knife, sev- 
ering the life-lines, splitting the end of the bowsprit from the pall- 
bits into the knight-heads, seventeen inches through. The sea went 
over the mast-heads, carrying away the main-topmast, end of the 
main boom, broke davits and boat, yet not a hogshead of water came 
on deck. The vessel was worked into port, and, after being repaired, 
continued her season's work. 



164 



fishermen's memokial and hecord book. 



_^ '-—^ET- 




_____ 




^^=^ ^ 


E^^ 


^^m 


W^, 


^V"^ ^ 


^ 


V ^m 


feft 




"Here Comes Father's Vessel." 

" Here comes father's vessel ! " How the picture leaps into life 
as we look at it ! The colors grow rich and deep. We can see the 
blue sky overhead with golden clouds like fleets of bright ships sail- 
ing with the wind. The sea widens and lies flashing and heaving 
before us ; and we hear the sound of the water as it rolls and rolls 
away. 

" Father's vessel's coming ! " How the children's faces laugh ! 
What rejoicing is in their expression, in their very attitude ! You 
can imagine that pretty soon, as the schooner sweeps nearer and 
nearer over the waves, the boy in the old fishing-boat will swing his 
cap and shout ; that the girl will clap her hands and dance, and wave 
her apron with joy ; while the lad sitting on the beach will lend 
his voice to the happy chorus, " Here comes father's vessel ! " 

There is a back-ground to this picture which we cannot see, but 
we can imagine it. It is in the town, now the city of Gloucester, 



fishermen's memorial and record book. 165 

with streets lying quiet in the summer sunshine. The leaves on the 
trees rustle, the windows of the houses are open, and green vines are 
planted, and gay flowers blossom. Sometimes, now and then, a face 
comes to the window or the door, and looks out seaward ; while a 
prayer is breathed for the safety of " father's vessel." 

Perhaps, in one of the houses, there is a woman walking up and 
down the room getting dinner ready, and a baby lies sleeping in the 
cradle, which she stirs now and then with her foot as she passes. 
She is singing a fisherman's ballad ; but there is a little shadow on 
her face, for she is thinking of " father's vessel." It has been gone 
but a few da3^s, perhaps, on Georges Bank ; or it has been several 
weeks in the Bay, and there has been a violent storm ; consequently 
the loved ones at home are waiting anxiously for tidings of it. And 
now she hears a joyful ring of voices, and her face grows radiant as the 
children come bursting into the house, bringing tlie glad news, " Here 
comes father's vessel ! " 

In the great journey of life we are all of us going our different 
ways, doing our own work, of which others perhaps get the sweetness, 
while we only have the pain of toil. The spinner spins his bright 
threads into soft cloths, which others will make up into beautiful 
garments ; the writer plans in trouble and weariness the tender story 
which others will read in the sunshine of happy homes ; and the 
fisherman braves the hardships and perils of a trip off on Georges, 
or the treacherous Banks, in order to secure a choice luxury for 
another man's table. We all of us go our own way, and are not apt 
to give much time thinking of the toil and trials of others. 

Yet sometimes, when we trifle with a delicious bit of fish at dinner, 
a thought comes to us of the great sea out of wliich it was caught. 
Perhaps a life was given for this same dainty morsel we are eating. 
Perchance the vessel was wrecked, and, drifting with torn sails and 
broken spars, had a terrible hard time of it. It is not a pleasant 
picture. "We like better to think of the schooner slowly rounding 
the Point. We like to think of the water flashing and heaving in the 
sunlight ; of little children clapping their hands, dancing and shout- 
ing ; and waiting wives and mothers thanking God with happy tears 
in their eyes, as the joyful crj'^ rings out over the beach, "Here 
comes father's vessel ! " 



A-PPENDIX. 



It was the intention of the author to have had this " Memorial and 
Record Book " published on the 20th of September, and it would, 
undoubtedly, have made its appearance promptly, but for the fire of 
August 27th, which commenced in Bergcngren'.-5 Block, and extended 
its ravages to tlie "Old Corner" building, destroying all the type, 
injuring the presses, and completely disarranging the business of the 
establishment. The sheets of the book, comprising one hundred and 
twelve pages, together with the advertising department, were badly 
injured by fire and water. Such of them as were in suitable condi- 
tion were saved, and the balance has been re-printed. There were 
also twenty-four pages in type, which were to have been put to press 
immediately. These were lost, manuscript and all. The labor of 
re-writing these pages, mostly from memory, together with procuring 
electrotypes, as all of the original number were destroyed, can be 
understood only by those who have had a similar experience. It has 
been pursued indefatigably, in addition to other extra duties which 
the fire brought in its train, and it is with extreme gratification that 
we put these last sheets of manuscript, representing the conclusion 
of the Memorial Book, into the hands of the printer, feeling that the 
delay has been no fault of ours, and that we have been ver}' fortu- 
nate, indeed, in being enabled to publish the book so quickly after 
the occurrence of such disastrous circumstances. 

By the delay, we have had opportunity of adding a sad chapter 
containing the terrible disasters caused by that fearful storm of Sun- 
day, August 24lh, in the Provincial waters, in which so many of our 
fishermen were lost, and so much property destroyed. The record 
is, indeed, a fearful one, and the loss of life terrible to contemplate. 
It has sent a gloom over this communit}^, completely changing the 
prospects of the Bay fleet, which had looked so bright and promising. 
Fire and flood held high carnival during that last week in August, 
and it only remains for our people to look forward, and not back 
upon the past, doing all within their power to retrieve their losses, 



APPENDIX. 167 

keeping up that courage which has sustained them so often in adver- 
sity, and firmly believing that the tide which has set so strongly 
against them will soon turn, and bear them on to a greater degree of 
prosperity than ever before experienced. 



THE TERRIBLE GALE OF SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 1873. 
ITS FEARFUL CONSEQUENCES! 

Like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky came the rumor into 
town, on Tuesday, August 26th, that there had been a terrible gale 
to the eastward, extending all along the Canadian shores, carrying 
destruction in its pathway by sea and land, sweeping, with sad 
havoc, among the fishing-ileet in the Bay of St. Lawrence and 
around Prince Edward's Island. Gloucester had one hundred and 
thirty-eight of her vessels in those waters, and the anxiety to hear 
from them was most intense. It was also feared, and it has proved 
too true, that the gale had extended to Georges Banks, where 
there was quite a fleet. The news came slowly, and the reports at 
first were somewhat contradictory. But sufficient was received, dur- 
ing the next day and evening, to convince our people that it had 
proved one of the most terribly disastrous storms that ever occurred 
in those waters ; and those having friends there began, as best they 
could, to prepare their minds for intelligence of another large loss of 
life. It was painful to witness the anxiety which pervaded this com- 
munity, and to notice the attendance at the Gloucester Fishing 
Insurance Company's Reading Room, as the bulletins were displayed 
from time to time. The newspapers were full of the disasters which 
the storm had occasioned, the reading of which was most appalling. 
Houses were blown down, trees torn up from their roots, and the 
tidal wave which accompanied the storm, carried the wrecked vessels 
far above high-water mark, and left them stranded on the shore. 
Wharves were destroyed, and desolation and ruin followed in the track 
of the storm. Day by da}^ the sad news came, and there is mourn- 
ing throughout the town as we pen this article. "Wives are weeping 
for their husbands, who will never again bless them with their earthly 
presence ; sisters are mourning for bi'others, and little children ask, 
in plaintive voices, "Why does not father come home?" It is, 
indeed, terrible, this news from the fishing-fleet ; and the loss of life, 
before which all other losses sink into utter insignificance, is greater 
than by any other one gale since the fishing business commenced. 



168 



APPENDIX. 



The nearest approximation to it was the gale of Feb. 24th, 18G2, when, 
fifteen vessels were lost with all hands, on Georges, numbering one 
hundred and twenty men. In this gale there were nine vessels lost, 
with all hands, which, together with those swept overboard from 
other vessels, number 07ie Imndred and twenty-eight men. Many of 
these were among the very best skippers and smartest fishermen of 
the port, whose loss will be felt for a long time by the entire com- 
munity. Here is the record : — 



VESSELS LOST IN THE BAT, WITH ALL THEIR CHEWS. 

Schooner CIIAELES C. DAME, wrecked off North Cape. Had a 
crew of eighteen men, as follows : William V. Beverage, master ; Wal- 
ter Hubbard, Lewis Thompson, Charles D. Perkins, George Hinckley, 
James Yoe, Charles Brown, Charles F. Payne, John McDonald, 
George W. Flowers, Stephen Morrison, Daniel McEachren, J. S. 
Emmons, Lemuel Emmons, R. A. Douglass, John Edgerly, Oakley 
Dodge and Henry Stebbius. Owned by Daniel Sayward. Valued 
at J^7,000 ; insured for $6,325. 

Schooner ANGIE S. FRIEND, probably foundered at her anchors, 
as portions of the wreck were washed ashore at Port Hood. She had a 
crew of fourteen men when she left port, two of whom left the vessel 
in the Bay and returned home, and their places were probably sup- 
plied by others from the Provinces, The following are the names 
of the crew: Adolphus Emery, master; Robert Rowe, George Hun- 
son, Joseph A. Hunson, his son, Augustus Cromwell, James Rien, 
Eugene M. Cromwell, Jacob H. Emery, Thomas Wilson, Charles 
Hustins, Joseph Small and James Robinson. Owned by Joseph 
Friend. Valued at §4,700, and insured for $4,113. 

Schooner JAMES G. TARR had a crew of eighteen men, viz. : 
James Gushing, master ; James Hunson, father-in-law of Capt. Gush- 
ing, who had his son with him ; George Gould, brother-in-law of 
Gushing ; Edward Gould and Abraham Gould, brothers of George ; 
Daniel Chisholm, Stephen Ryan, married Chisholm's sister ; Zimri 
Carter, Robert Carter, John Mclntire, William H. Crittenden, D. J. 
McKenuon, Joseph King, Angus McCormack, William Jackman, R. J. 
Hendricks and John McPhee. Owned by Leighton & Co. and the 
master. Valued at $6,400 ; insurance on vessel and outfits, $6,100. 

Schooner ROYAL ARCH, lost at White Head, N. S., on her pas- 
sage home. Her crew numbered fourteen men, as follows : William 



APPENDIX. 169 

C. Da}-, master ; Patrick Glenn, Nicholas Joy and his two sons, Pat- 
rick Ruxton, Charles II. Day, Elias Day, his son ; Thomas Younger, 
William H. Morey, Everett Tillson, Joseph Boker, Daniel McDonald 
and Alfred Hill. It is supposed that Mrs. Dougal Mclsaac and four 
children took passage in this schooner for Gloucester, and were lost. 
Vessel owned by D. C. and H. Babson. Valued at $6,500 ; insured 
for $5,600. 

Schooner SAMUEL CROWELL left the Bay the day before the 
gale for home, and probably foundered at sea. She had a crew of 
fifteen men, viz., James W. Hamilton, master; George Barrett, John 
Jeffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Samuel Taylor, son of Jonathan ; Albert 
Barber, Robert Grant, Alexander McDonald, Andy Paul, John 
Russell, John B. Marshall, David Martin, Charles P. Verrill, George 
Melvin and William Norris. Owned by William Parsons, 2d & Co. 
Valued at S6,000 ; insured for $5,250. 

Schooner EL DORADO was probably lost upon White Head. 
She had a crew of seven men, all belonging in Kittery, Maine, as 
follows : Abraham S. Deering, master ; Edward Deering, his son ; 
Furber Fletcher, Clarence Fernald, Josiah Patch, Augustus Tobey, 
Jr., and Erastus Locke. Owned by James Mansfield & Son. Valued 
at $1,300 ; insured for $1,137. 



LOST ON GEORGES. 

Schooner CENTRE POINT was probably lost in the gale of 
August 24th, as she was last seen adrift on the Bank that day. Her 
crew comprised eleven persons, viz., James Hastings, master ; had 
his son with him ; William O'Brien, James Carsons, Antone Rose, 
Hugh McEachren, Peter Peterson, Thomas Keefe, Frederic Wilson, 
Charles Erickson, Edward Burns supposed to have been on board. 
Owned by Dodd, Tarr & Co. Valued at $3,500 ; and insured for 
$3,063. 

Schooner A. H. WONSON was probably lost in the same gale. 
She had a crew of ten men, as follows : Harvey Crowell, master ; 
John Hanson, Simon Smith, Archie Rankin, Edward Spinney, 
Solomon Ryder, Peter Anderson, Thomas Cook, Thomas Blake 
and Charles T. Patterson. Owned by Leighton & Co. Valued at 
$6,000 ; and insured for $5,250. 



170 APPENDIX. 



IN THE BANK FISHERY. 



Schooner HENRY CLAY left the Grand Banks three days before 
the gale, and was lost on the passage home. She had a crew of ten 
men, as follows : Neil McFadden, master ; Daniel McFadden and 
Alexander McFadden, brothers of the master; John McFadden, 
William Tucker, Daniel McKeever, Matthew Rice, William Dumphy, 
Angus McPhee. Owned by Solomon Pool. Valued at $4,200 ; and 
insured for $3,675. 



LIST OF STRANDED VESSELS. 

The number of vessels stranded in Provincial waters, in this gale, 

was thirty-two, as follows : — Addie M. Story, Amos Cutter, Arizona, 
Annie C. Norwood, Belle Gilmore, Charles P. Barrett, C. P. Thomp- 
son, Catalina, Charlotte Augusta, Clytie, Constitution, D. H. Mans- 
field, Evangeline, Electric Flash, Enola C, E. L. Rowe, Elihu Bur- 
ritt, Freedom, Highflyer, J. J. Clark, Knight Templar, Lydia A. Har- 
vey, Morning Star, Marion Grimes, Oliver Eldredge, Typhoon, Tally 
Ho, Wm. H. Raymond, Wm. A. Pew, Mary S. Hurd, Far West and 
Centurion. 

Five of the above have proved total losses. Twenty-four have 
been got off, leaving three ashore at the present writing, which it is 
expected will be saved. 

VESSELS STRANDED AND CONDEMNED. 

Schooner MARY S. HURD, wrecked at Cape Canso, owned by 
James A. Stetson; valued at $3,000, insured for $2,700. Crew 
saved. 

Schooner FAR WEST, wrecked at Port Mulgrave, owned by Dodd, 
Tarr & Co. Valued at $2,200, insured for $1,400. Crew saved. 

Schooner CENTURION, wrecked at Ship Harbor, owned by Samuel 
Haskell, Jr. Valued at $1,000, insured for $825. Crew saved. 

Schooner TYPHOON, wrecked at Harbor Le Bar, crew saved. 
Owned by D. C. & H. Babson. Valued, with outfit, at $3,700 ; insured 
for $3,000. 

Schooner D. H. MANSFIELD, wrecked at Magdalene Islands; 
crew saved. Owned by George W. Plumer. Valued, with outfit, at 
$2,100; insured for $1,888. 



APPENDIX. 171 

Schooner WEST POINT was lost at Magdalene Islands, Septem- 
ber 20th ; crew saved. Owned by Perkins Brothers. Valued, with 
outfit, at $3,800 ; insured for $3,300. 



LOST OVERBOARV. 

Charles Rose and "William Wilson, from schooner Fannie R., in 
the Bay. 

Antone Lewis, from schooner Helen M. Crosby, on passage 
to the Bay. 

Joseph Christen, from schooner Dictator, on Georges. 

Henry Johnson, from schooner Sultana, on Grand Bank. 

Frederic Carman, from schooner Abigail, on passage from the 
Bay. 

OTHER LOSSES SINCE JULY. 

Schooner WILLIAM BAILIES, ballast lighter, was totally 
lost at Cape Hedge, near Milk Island, on the 6th of August. Crew 
saved. Valued at $800, and uninsured. Owned by George M. Won- 
son of East Gloucester. 

Frank Anderson, of Schooner Dictator, was lost overboard on 
Georges, September 1st. 

Brumley Larkin, of Schooner Fitz J. Babson, was washed from 
the jib-boom and drowned, September 2d, while coming from the 
Banks. 

Edward Day, of Schooner Alfarata, was killed in the Bay of St. 
Lawrence, July 18th, in consequence of being struck on the head by 
the main boom. 

VALUATION, INSURANCE, ETC 

The total value of the vessels lost in this gale is $62,500 ; their insur- 
ance $53,914, which, with but two exceptions, is in the Gloucester 
Mutual Fishing Insurance Office. In addition to the insurance on 
the vessels totally lost, there will be quite a large amount to pay out 
on partial losses, expense of getting off the stranded vessels, etc. ; 
probably not less than $40,000. 

The total number of vessels lost the present year, up to October 
1st (nine montlis), is twenty-eight, valued at $114,600. Total amount 
of insurance, $98,940. Total loss of life, one hundred and seventy-two^ 



172 



APPENDIX. 



tlie largest number ever lost in one season, since the fishing business 
has been prosecuted from this port. 

SUM TOTAL OF LOSSES FOR THE PAST FORTY-THREE YEARS. 

Our table of losses, on page 53, included the number of men and 
vessels lost from 1830 up to the middle of July, 1873. Tlie disasters 
and loss of life since, as given in the foregoing appendix, show a loss 
of one hundred and thirty-one men, and sixteen vessels ; which, added 
to the previous list, swells the total loss of life, for the past fortj^- 
three years, to fourteen hundred and thirty-seven, and the total num- 
ber of vessels to two hxmdred and ninety-six; an average of thirty- 
four lives, and seven vessels yearly. Total value of vessels lost, 
§1,208,000. Total amount of insurance, $893,439. 

Note. — On page 1C9 mention is made of the supposed loss of Mrs. Dougal Mclsaac and four 
cliildrcn in Bchooncr Iloj'al Arch. After the first edition was printed, and too late to correct 
tlio statement, it was ascertained that they were not on board. They subsequently arrived home 
at Gloucester. 




BEisTJ, h:. smith, 

Oiyposite the Post Office. GLOUCESTER. 

Real Estate Agent, Justice of the Peace, 
NOTARY PUBLIC AND CONVEYANCER, 

89 F2?ont St., C^loucester, Mass., 

Or First National Bank Building, opp. Post Oface. 



IJpliolsterer and Picture Frame laker, 




No. 177 Front Street, (up stairs,) Gloucester, IVIass. 

DEISTTIST, 

ITV^etlierell's Block, near the Post Office, 

Performs all operations in Surgical and Mechanical Dentistry, in the best 



trf^^^% manner and at the lowest rates. 

~^^-^ Present prices of Artificial Teeth :— $15.00 per set for temporary, and 

$20.00 for permanent, including extracting with Laughing Gas or Ether. 

eS" Dr. H. A. Freeman advises his friends and former patients to call upon Dr. TuCK when 
in need of the services of a Dentist. 



STEPHEN DOBD & CO., 

Oommission Merchants, Wholesale Deahrs and Ourers of 

Dry^ Pickled and SmokGd Fish. 




GEORGES CODFISH, SMOKED HALIBUT, LABRADOR HERRING. 

OFFICE IN 

GLOUCESTER NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, 

GLOUCESTER, MASS. 

SAMUEL. ELWELL, JR., 

MANUFACTURER OF 

Patent Inside Iron Strapped Blocl^s, Oars, &c., 

AND DEALER IN 

WOODEN AND IRON SHIP CHANDLERY. 

Steam Factory, corner Rogers and Duncan Streets, (between Custom House 
and Marine Railways,) Gloucester. 

^g- Carving and Gilding, Repairing Blocks of all kinds promptly attended to. 

MISS SAWYER'S SALVE, 

IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE BEST ARTICLE IX THE 
MARKET FOR THE CURE OF 

CUTS, BURNS, SORES, 

SCALDS, HUMORS, ETC. 

IF EVERY FAMILY KNEAV ITS VALUE NONE WOULD 
BE WITHOUT IT. 

Put up in Boxes at 50 Cents each. 

PREPARED BY 

1\ 1 1 « H C . S^ A ^V Y E R , 

And put up b3^ 1m. Tfln ROBBIMS, 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGIST, 
ROCKLAND, 31AINE. 




ureka Fish 

Prepared Expressly for Family Use. 

PUT UP BY 



%<i% 



P4 



G-LOUCESTEK, MASS. 

This Fish is the cheapest of any offered to the public, is 
selected from choice new Georges Cod, and prepared ready for use, 
thus avoiding all waste and trouble in cooking. 



Undertaker's Wareroom, 

Cor. Front St. and Western Ave. 

Gloucester, Mass. 

Coffins, Caskets. Robes, Habits, Caps, &c., constantly on hand. Children's Robes and 
Dresses made to order. Personal attention given to attending Funerals, and also to laying-out 
•and preparing the dead for burial. 

MANUFACTURERS OF 

All Sizes of nSHIia LIISS for Sea EisMng, 

FROM THE BEST QUALITY COTTON. 

Jackman's Superior Sea Island COTTON MACKEREL LINES, 

LINEN LINES. GANGINGS, HA-USER LA.ID LINES, &c. 

Line-Walk & Factory, 41 Marlboro St., Newburyport, iVSass. 

A. M. liVRy^HAM, Affcut at Gloucrster. 





For the past eight years with A. E. Price, would respectfully announce that 
he has taken the store, 

112 FRONT STREET, OPP. PROCTER BROS., 

Where he ofl'ers for sale a carefully selected assortment of 

Pure Drugs, Chemical Sc Pharmaceuiical Preparations, Fancy 
and Toilet Articles, <Sjc. 

PHYSICIANS' PRFSCRIPTIONS will receive the most raieful personal attention, 
and all medicines dispensed can be relied upon as of Knaranieed purity and strcnnh. 
JM-mCINii CMESTd carefally piepared or replenished. 



insrs:PEiGTo:E^.s, 



AND DEALERS IN 




Vessels Outfits, Ship's Stores, etc., etc. 
P.O.Box, 592. GLOUCESTER, 31 ASS, 

risk's Compound Elliptic Seat & Bed Spring. 



The Easiest Seat and Bed Spring ever offered to the Public. 



The 
wire rod 
adjiiste.l 
required 
ease and 

tm- 

of 8trei]f 
The 
offered. 



peculiar construction of the Fisk Spring, combining a series of ICIIiptics connected by 
s. render it impossible to break down or get out of place, and being fully set up and 

for use.it can be upholstered at a saving of about one quarter of the labor and material 

for the ordinary cushion, and forming an elegant shaped seat or bed unsurpassed for 

durability. 

t'prings for Car Seats, Lounges or Beds made to any size, and also to different degrees 

jth and elasticity. 

attention of the trade is called to the superiority of this Spring over any other ever 

NATHAN RICHAR.DSON, 

Sole Mannfacturer. 
On Washington Street, near the Railroad Crossing, GLOUCESTER MASS. 

SEND FOR A CIRCULAR. ' 



STEMMQ8€Q'Pia ¥lEW& OF 




COJIPKKING 



All the OBJECTS OF INTEEEST which ahound 
in this CHARMI2TG RETREAT ! 

OLD © iK» E A Gia , witli lier wliite-winged fleet sailing across its pathless track ; 

The BEACHES, 

The RUCCED COAST, 

The QUARRIES, 

LIGHT-HOUSES, 
CHASSVJS, 

and PUBLIC* BUILDINGS, 

forming a series wliieli delight all who have seen them, 

PROCTIli BROTHERS, Fiiblisliers. 

♦-♦-♦ 

Send $2.50, and let tJietn forivard you a Specimen Dozen. 



Attention, Fishermen 

.^^^ MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN V^ 

wim®it leltlngt iiPiag©, 



-AND- 



WOODBEREY GOTTOI DUCK, 

OF EVERY DESCRIPTION^, 

Office, Cor. South and Pratt Streets, 

B^LTIMiOUE, M:r). 



HOTIGB. 

We are now making Netting on our New Machines, which is 
equal in all respects to that made by hand, and in many respects 
superior. 100 lbs. of twine made of 10 yarn knit on our Machines 
will make as much Netting in length and depth as can he made on any 
other machine now in use, and about 5 per cent, more than can be 
made by hand. 

Purse Seiners. 

We would call your especial attention to our 12 Thread Twine 
made of 16 Yarn; also, our Mackerel Netting made of 9, 12 and 
16 Thread Twine of No. 20 Yarn. 



J' 



'1 



WH 







General Commission Merchant 



FOR THE SALE OF 



Vessels Chartered. 
Freight Secured. 



Orders for Flour, 



11 ll'l^JlPil Jiff Wiillil llf/r ^ Grain and Merchan- 
^&©tt W WlJL|®)di«e carefully filled. 



OFFICE, 32 BROA.DAV^_A.Y, 

NEW YORK. 



JOHN H. BOTNTON. 



A. W. HOIVE & BRO. 

WHOLESALE 

Commission Fish Dealers, 

13 & 14 Delaware Ave., (Fisli Market Dock St. Wharf,) 
PHILADELPHIA. 






Formerly of Grloucester, iMass. 




A. W. ROWE & BRO. would call attention to their superior facilities for 
receiving and selling FISH of all kinds, and from a practical knowledge of the 
business, they can promise consignors tliat their interests shall be faithfully 
attended to. Particular attention will be given to tiie sale of 

DF"rioz3Hiv njErtmivo, 

and consignments are solicited. 

Refer to Smith & Gott, Gloucester; M. W. Haskins & Bro., Boston. 



GARTER'S 



landard Oi 




BLACK AMB YEI^ImOW. 



Having had a large and practical experience 
with, the -wants of the 

FISHERMEN AND SEAMEN, 

and having devoted my whole time exclusively 
for years to the manufacture and improvement 
of 



#It ©^(#THIH& 



I claim a superiority for my goods over all other 
manufacturers, and offer them to the trade as the 

BJEST IN THE 3IABKET! 

For the protection of the trade, all my goods are sold 
direct from the Manufactory^ and ail orders should be ad- 
dressed to 

J. F. CARTER, 

Manufacturer and Sole Proprietor, 

Gloucester, (Cape Ann,) Mass. 



MANUFACTURERS OF 



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"\riiiB 



No. HI COMMERCIAL STREET, 
BOSTON. 




Gloucester Seiners!! 

SEINE NETTINGS and SEINE FITTINGS! 

In consequence of our rapidly increasing business, we have already com- 
menced manufacturing for the next season. Early orders will insure prompt 
attention. 

We keep in our stock but one grade of MACKEREL SEINE 
TWINE NETTING^ and that the yery best manufactured in the coun- 
try, without regard to cost. 

PUBSE MACKEREL SEINES fitted complete, ready for the 
water, of best materials, and at moderate cost. 

H. & a. ^V^. LORD, 

111 Commercial Street, Boston. 




» 



Mercliant Tailor. 



AND 



Dealer in READT-IADE CLOTHIia, 



HATS, CAPS, AND FURNISHING GOODS, 

Gloucester. Mass. 



NEXT DOOR TO J 
PATTLLLO'S. 5 



THE WONDER OF THE AGE. 



liPI 



fc»«» 






THOUSANDS CAN TESTIFY OF ITS VIRTUES. 

Fishermen will find this Salve invaluable for the cure of 
Sore Hands. It worhs like magic. TRY IT. ^ 

It cures Old Sores, Salt Kheum, Bruises, Burns, Cuts, Erysipelas, Tumors, 
Scrofula, Sore Lips, Weak Eyes, Chapped Hands, Piles, Boils, Eingworms, Itch, 
Frost Bites, Cancer, Scald Head, Chilblains, Pimples, Poison, etc. 

For sale by A. E. PRICE, Gloucester, General Agent; GEO. C. GOOD- 
WIN & CO., Boston, Wholesale Agents. 

SWETPT «£ CO., 

DEALERS m 

Lmlier, Barrels, Hoops, Hay, Straw, Brici, Lie, Ceiseiit, 

POTATOES, BEANS, &c, 
WHARF ON COMMERCIAL STREET, 

NEAR THE FORT. GliOUCESTER, 

Cl.arts^ '§Mrt©ip^i iaales^ Bpy dlasses^ 

DIVIDERS, PARALLEL RULES, 

BLUNT'S COAST PILOT, BOWDITCH'S NAVIGATORS, 

CONSTANTLY ON HAND AT THE 

«OLi:> COFJMVEI^" BOOIiSTOI^E. 

PROCTER BROTHERS, 121 Front Street, Gloucester. 

On Creorge^s in a Storm! 

THIS BEAUTIFUL PAINTING has been photographed, and copies may now be obtained 
at the store of PROCTER BROS. It is a fine picture, showing two schooners riding at anchor, 
and another jogging under a double- reefed foresail. Just such a picture as every fishing owner 
and fisherman wants. 

Selling for $2.00 and upwards, according to style of frame. Without frame, 75 cents. Call 
and see this picture. Sent by mail on reception of 75 cents. 

Send 75 cents to Procter Bros., Gloucester, Mass., and receive by return mail one of the 
above pictures. 



1846. "Old Corner" 1873. 



PROCTER BROTHERS, 

PWmLMMEB&t 



|0(il|ciitti 




BLiffl BOOK AND PICTURE FRAME MANUFACTORERS, 



ALSO, DEALERS IN 



ROOM PAPER, BORDERS, 

Window Shades and Fixtures, 

AND 

YANKEE NOTIONS GENERALLY. 



LAKaEST VARIETY IN ESSEX COUNTY. 

CIRCULATIN& LIBRAEY OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. 



I. I. t J. R 



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1 



IHTIST 



GLOUCESTER, MASS. 



WE OFFER FOR 1874, 

HADLEYSUPERIOR PURSE SEINES. 

Nets, Seines, Lines, Twines, dc, made to order. 



y^ 



c< 



43 Commercial Street, BOSTOF, Mass. 






* '!5X# Vi!.<s# 



YACHT km BOAT BUILDERS 






Seine Boats, 
Sail Boats, 

Row Boats, 
Yawls. 



Dinkies, 
Launches, 
Surf Beats, 
Canoes. 



Manufactory at 1 .1 the Harfeor, 

Fost Office A.ddress, Box U30, GZ,OLCJESTEM, Mass. 



m 



^ ® 1^ 



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f 




TosselBiiUilerMejairer. 

SMpyard on Pearce Street, 
GLOUCESTER, Mass. 



w \Jf S S 



Opposite Bank of Cape Ann, 
GLOUCESTER. 

OlsT THIS EXJIE^OI^E^Isr X^L^IST. 



MEALS AT 




/LL HOURS. 



Rooms to Let to Gentlemen by the Day or Week. 

Pish Dinners served up in all styles, on arrival of tlie Boat. 



WM. P. DAVIS, Proprietor. 



THE 



(l[ap ^m "^knitmrif 




A handsomely printed sheet of Thirty-Two Columns, issued every 
Friday morning, by 

PF\OCTER,Bf\OTHEF\S, QloJcesje.^, jVI/^ss., 

JE^ITO^S siJ^S IPHOTHIHTOSS. 

Each issue has all the local news of Cape Ann, together with all 
the Fishing Items, a reliable Fish Market, Good Story, and choice 
Miscellaneous Reading Matter, making it emphatically 

The People's Paper! 

THE BEST ADVERTISING MEDIUM ON THE CAPE. 

Circulation, 3,500 Copies. TERMS^ $2.50 per year, strictly 
in advance. Sent to any part of the country on receipt of price. 
Subscribe for it if you wish to peruse a live local neiospaper. 



P 



ONNECTED WITH THE EsTABLISHyVlENT 



18 A F1K8T-CLA83 



JOB PRINTING OFFICE, 

Under the immediate supervision of Mr. Isaac N. Story, where all 
kinds of Printing, from the largest Poster to the smallest Label, is 
executed promptly at fair prices. 

Particular attention given to Commercial Printing, such as Check 
and Receipt Books, Letter Headings, Billheads, Bills of Lading, 
Notes, Drafts, etc, 

PROCTER BROTHERS, Proprietors. 









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